All Knicks

Top Cats! Brunson, Hart Lead Stats In Team USA Exhibition Win (Highlights)

The penultimate effort of Team USA's FIBA Basketball World Cup tune-up slate was led by New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

Geoff Magliocchetti

In this story:

The New York Knicks' victorious exhibition world tour continued on Friday as Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart topped the statistical ledgers in Team USA's 108-86 victory over Greece in Abu Dhabi. Friday's exhibition was the fourth of five for Team USA leading up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which tips off in Asia next week.

Still stationed in the starting five, Brunson dished out a game-best seven assists, part of a 26-13 advantage in the category for the Americans. The Knicks' top point guard also tallied nine points on a 4-of-6 effort from the field. 

In relief, Hart led all rebounders with nine and had a plus/minus of 16, best among American reserves. The newly-minted $81 million man had contributions in nearly every major area of the box score, also earning four assists, two steals, and a block and point each.

With its win, Team USA improves to 4-0 on their warm-up slate. While Friday's effort was hardly perfect (as 20 American turnovers yielded 24 points for Greece), Team USA enjoyed standout performances from Anthony Edwards (Minnesota), who earned a game-best 21 points in only 17 minutes on the floor. Edwards and Cam Johnson (Brooklyn) hit three triples each while the latter also had three steals off the bench. In another standout performance from the second unit, Bobby Portis (Milwaukee) had 10 points and seven rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

“I thought we let our guard down, fouled quite a bit,” American head coach Steve Kerr said, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “We had a couple of turnovers, I think two in a row that I felt like changed the game. But, all in all, I’m really, really happy with the way guys are playing and competing and, you know, playing together.”

The Americans are set to face Greece in next week's pool play activities, as each is destined for Group C in Pasay alongside Jordan and New Zealand. Playing without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), the Greeks were led in scoring by reserves Panagiotis Kalaitzakis and Nikos Rogkavopoulos with 12 each.

One more tune-up game awaits the Americans, as they'll remain in Abu Dhabi to face Germany on Sunday (12 p.m. ET, Fox). 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Knicks? Click Here.

Follow AllKnicks.com on Twitter.

Published
Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

Home/News