Team USA gets a scare from Australia, but pulls out 98–92 exhibition win in Abu Dhabi

Perhaps the eight-hour time difference in Abu Dhabi was a factor, but Team USA had a closer game versus Australia on Monday than many would have predicted.

The Americans eventually prevailed, 98–92, but an Australian squad with several NBA players provided some impressive opposition in their exhibition matchup at Etihad Arena. Jock Landale scored 20 points with seven rebounds and six assists, while Josh Giddey tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Dyson Daniels added 14.

It was a four-point game with 30 seconds remaining, but Devin Booker put the game away with a jumper in the lane and two free throws at the end. Tyrese Haliburton also hit two clutch 3-pointers to keep Australia from closing the margin to within two points or tying the score.

That salvaged a relatively sluggish offensive performance by Team USA, which seemed content to rely on its star players’ talents rather than execute plays throughout the game. Yet Australia has been a tough matchup for the Americans before, winning exhibition contests in 2019 and 2021. Landale had success inside, while Australia’s guards frequently scored on drives to the basket.

Anthony Davis led Team USA with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks in a dominating performance in the paint. Until the very end, Anthony Edwards looked as if he might lead the Americans and establish himself as the No. 1 option. He scored 14 points, hitting 3-of-5 3-point shots. As a team, USA shot 41% from 3-point range.

Booker eventually finished ahead of Edwards with his late baskets, tallying 16 points. LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Bam Adebayo each scored 10 points. Jayson Tatum led Team USA with five assists. However, 18 turnovers demonstrated that these players are still learning how to play with each other, leading to mistakes upon which opponents may capitalize.

Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive exhibition game, sidelined again with a calf injury. Coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Saturday that the plan is to monitor Durant day by day and utilize the next couple of weeks before making a roster decision. The team has already lost Kawhi Leonard and replaced him with Derrick White.

Up next for the USA men’s basketball team is an exhibition matchup with Serbia and NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — against whom they will open Olympics play — on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. That game will tip off at 12 pm ET and be televised on FS1.