U.S. earns No. 1 seed in Olympic quarterfinals after topping Puerto Rico, 104-83. This victory solidifies their position as a formidable contender for gold at the Paris Olympics.
And now, the intensity of the competition escalates.
With Anthony Edwards leading the charge with 26 points, the U.S. showcased their depth, as six players hit double figures. The Americans decisively secured the top spot in their group, dominating Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Boasting an impressive 3-0 record in these Olympics and an undefeated 8-0 mark this summer, the U.S. prepares to face Brazil in a must-win quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday.
Joel Embiid contributed 15 points, while Kevin Durant scored 11, inching closer to Lisa Leslie’s all-time Olympic scoring record for the U.S. Durant now stands at 483 points, just five shy of Leslie’s 488.
LeBron James added 10 points, alongside eight assists and six rebounds in just 18 minutes of play. Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis also chipped in with 10 points each. The team, however, played without Jrue Holiday, who suffered an ankle injury in their previous game against South Sudan.
Jose Alvarado led Puerto Rico (0-3) with 18 points in a valiant effort.
This matchup marked the first Olympic encounter between the two nations since the 2004 Athens Games, where Puerto Rico stunned the U.S. with a 92-73 victory, a game that marked James’ Olympic debut.
This time, the narrative shifted.
In Athens, Puerto Rico dominated the second quarter 28-7. In contrast, the U.S. flipped the script this time around, winning that same quarter 39-16. Puerto Rico, despite entering the game knowing their chances were gone, briefly led by eight points late in the first quarter and held a narrow 37-36 advantage with 5:45 left in the half.
However, the remainder of the half saw the U.S. outscore Puerto Rico 28-8, showcasing their offensive prowess.
During that explosive stretch, James recorded all six of his first-half assists, leading the Americans to a commanding 64-45 halftime lead. He capped off the first half with an emphatic dunk, sharing a moment of joy with his 2004 Athens teammate, Dwyane Wade, as they both celebrated the team’s success.
As expected, the U.S. has maintained a strong performance throughout the tournament.
In three games, the Americans have recorded three convincing victories: a 26-point win over Serbia, a 17-point triumph against South Sudan to secure their group lead, and Saturday’s decisive victory over Puerto Rico, which they controlled once the momentum shifted.
