‘Are We Trying?’: Ja Morant & Others React to Team USA Losing Second Consecutive Exhibition Against Australia

While exhibition games along with training camp are underway in Las Vegas, the USA men’s basketball team hasn’t had the start they would have hoped for. As they prepare to make their way to the Tokyo Olympics, they suffered their first loss in their first game already against Nigeria. This came as a shock to everyone but now has fans worried after losing their second exhibition game too, against Australia. In fact, the NBA Twitter world can’t help but blurt out their opinions as well.

A string of bad luck for team USA

After Nigeria’s unbelievable 90-87 upset, Team USA decided to make some changes to its starting lineup. Draymond Green and Jerami Grant were given the nod to jump onto the frontcourt, yet it was Australia who started off with a lead in the first quarter. NBA superstars in the Australian team, Patty Mills and Joe Ingles led the way with 22 and 17 points respectively.

They also had Matisse Thybulle, who was incredible on defense. He finished with a couple of steals and blocks, including a big one on USA’s leader, Kevin Durant. However, KD and Damian Lillard were the top scorers for the USA with 22 and 17 points, respectively. Next in line was Bradley Beal with just 12 points.

Although team USA had a 9-point lead entering into the half, Australia’s clutch shooting in the fourth helped them push for a lead. After that, the USA did not recover, and it was game over at 91-83. Here’s what the rest of the basketball fraternity and fans have to say.

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Australia breaks their streak

The Aussies had entered this matchup fresh after an 87-84 win against Argentina in their first exhibition game. Like this game, the credit for that goes to Patty Mills buzzer-beater three and now have gathered more momentum thanks to their victory against the USA.

Even though this loss has no effect on their standings in the Tokyo Olympic Games, it holds some significance. As per ESPN Stats & Info, “It is the 1st time Team USA has lost back-to-back exhibition games since professionals started playing in 1992 (were 54-2 in exhibitions in this span prior to this).”

The USA men’s basketball team is aiming to capture its fourth straight gold medal at these games. But it looks like the other teams will be giving them a run for their money.

READ MORE: Tokyo Olympics 2020, USA Men’s Basketball: Full Schedule and Matchups