Las Vegas faced another day of record-breaking heat with relentless sun and an afternoon high of 118 degrees, as reported by the National Weather Service. In only 19 minutes on the court, Lakers’ standout Anthony Davis collected 11 rebounds, scored 10 points, and blocked 4 shots.
Steph Curry, a four-time NBA champion, connected on 50% of his three-point attempts, going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns All-Star, boasted an 80% shooting accuracy from the field.
Despite the extreme temperatures, an exhibition game between Team USA and Team Canada was held at the T-Mobile Arena on the south side of the Strip. The game provided a welcome break from the heat for the tens of thousands of fans who filled the arena for the sold-out Wednesday night matchup.
With rosters packed with All-Star talent, fans got an early look at their national teams just two weeks before the 2024 Paris Olympics. A full list of showcase starters and reserves is available below.
Team USA
Starting Lineup for Las Vegas Showcase:
- Stephen Curry, Guard (Golden State Warriors)
- Devin Booker, Guard (Phoenix Suns)
- Jrue Holiday, Guard (Boston Celtics)
- LeBron James, Forward (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Joel Embiid, Center (Philadelphia 76ers)
Reserve Players:
- Bam Adebayo, Center (Miami Heat)
- Anthony Davis, Forward/Center (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Kevin Durant, Forward (Phoenix Suns) *sidelined with calf injury
- Tyrese Haliburton, Guard (Indiana Pacers)
- Anthony Edwards, Guard (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Jayson Tatum, Forward (Boston Celtics)
- Derrick White, Guard (Boston Celtics)
Earlier Wednesday, news emerged that Kawhi Leonard, the star player from the Los Angeles Clippers, chose to withdraw from Team USA. Officials and medical personnel acknowledged his impressive performances in practice but concluded it was best for him to focus on recovering for the upcoming season. Soon after, it was revealed that Derrick White of the Celtics would step in, joining the roster as another reigning champion.
Team Canada’s Starting Lineup and Reserves for the Las Vegas Showcase:
Starting Lineup:
- Jamal Murray, Guard (Denver Nuggets)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Guard (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Dillon Brooks, Forward (Houston Rockets)
- RJ Barrett, Guard/Forward (Toronto Raptors)
- Dwight Powell, Forward/Center (Dallas Mavericks)
Reserves:
- Khem Birch, Center (Girona)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Guard (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Luguentz Dort, Guard/Forward (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Melvin Ejim, Forward (Unicaja)
- Trey Lyles, Forward (Sacramento Kings)
- Andrew Nembhard, Guard (Indiana Pacers)
- Kelly Olynyk, Forward/Center (Toronto Raptors)
Game Recap
Team Canada began strongly and maintained their competitive edge throughout the match. Team USA initially struggled with turnovers, allowing Team Canada to end the first quarter ahead, 21-14.
In the second quarter, Anthony Edwards provided a much-needed spark with a decisive play early on. This ignited a concerted effort to sustain offensive momentum, highlighted by standout performances from Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Jayson Tatum. By halftime, Team USA had surged ahead, leading 41-33.
Team Canada started the third quarter well, but Team USA tightened up their game, showing improved cohesion and reducing errors compared to the first half. The team displayed impressive ball movement and chemistry, with Edwards making another pivotal contribution to close out the quarter.
As the game progressed, Team USA extended their lead, finishing the third quarter comfortably ahead, 69-54, despite Joel Embiid fouling out. Team USA maintained their dominance in the fourth quarter, securing the victory with a final score of 86-72.
Team USA Exhibition Game Schedule
| Game | Date | Opponent | Location | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday, July 10 | Team USA | Local Time | 7:30 p.m. | |
| 2 | Monday, July 15 | Australia | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 9 a.m. PT | FS1 |
| 3 | Wednesday, July 17 | Serbia | Abu Dhabi, UAE | 9 a.m. | FS1 |
| 4 | Saturday, July 20 | South Sudan | London, UK | Noon | FOX |
| 5 | Monday, July 22 | Germany | London, UK | Noon | FOX |
Anthony Davis was a standout in the USA vs. Canada Basketball Showcase, demonstrating his exceptional skills and impact on the game. His performance was pivotal in Team USA’s success, showcasing his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and defensive contributions. Davis’s display highlighted his crucial role and effectiveness, solidifying his presence as a key player in the exhibition match.
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