Magic Star Paolo Banchero Dazzles in Team USA Win vs. Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro

In a battle of Orlando Magic stars, Paolo Banchero and Team USA edged out a win against Nikola Vucevic and Team Montenegro.

The United States' men's national basketball team is victorious in their second-round opener at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in an 85-73 win against Montenegro.

After winning their three games in preliminary play by an average of over 34 points, Team USA (4-0) was informed of a feisty challenge from the get-go: Montenegro, the runner-up in Group D play behind Lithuania, jumped out to an 11-4 lead and never truly drifted away as the highest American lead was a mere seven until some distance was finally generated in the penultimate minute.

The Americans' depth stars came through for them in the form of 39 points, starting with a 7-0 run at the end of the first period to create a 19-18 lead. Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) scored half of his 10 points in that stretch and also dished out a team-best six assists over 23 minutes of play. Austin Reaves (LA Lakers) took only two shots from the field but reached 12 points with a 9-of-11 outing from the foul line. 

Orlando Magic Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero had eight points earned via highlight-reel doubles and also pulled in four rebounds.

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Paolo Banchero is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/KMwVOLApeT

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 1, 2023

Banchero wasn't the only player on the floor that Magic fans should be familiar with.

Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls) lived up to his literally big billing, posting an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double. Dino Radončić also pulled in 10 rebounds while Orlando native Kendrick Perry had 14 points and six assists.

Montenegro (2-2) had a one-point lead at the half but some of the recovered starters helped the Americans seal the deal: Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) shot 7-of-10 over the final 20 to earn a USA-best 17 points while Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies) and Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets) each reached double-figures with 11 and 10 respectively.

As the only perfect team in Group J and posting a plus-115 point differential (plus head-to-head tiebreakers over Greece and Montenegro), Team USA is all but assured advanced to the World Cup's eight-team knockout round. They can clinch the group outright with a win on Sunday against Lithuania (8:40 a.m. ET, ESPN2).