Joel Embiid logged zero minutes in Team USA’s dominant 103-86 win over South Sudan

Team USA got their second consecutive group stage win over South Sudan 103-86 headlined by a strong scoring punch from USA’s reserve unit. However, most of the attention from today’s game was geared toward a dramatic change that was made to Team USA’s starting lineup/rotation.

Joel Embiid enters for pregame warmups to boos from the French crowd…

Embiid responds the only way Embiid does, by telling them to do it louder lmao pic.twitter.com/HzMAku1qjX

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) July 31, 2024

Joel Embiid received a DNP-CD

After starting in each of Team USA’s Showcase games and their first group stage game against Serbia, Joel Embiid has been replaced in the starting lineup by Anthony Davis. USA head coach Steve Kerr said the game plan would change based on the opponent via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Embiid was the only USA player to log zero minutes with Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton making his Olympic debut today. Despite riding the bench, Embiid was reportedly very supportive of his teammates:

“Joel Embiid, despite not playing a minute, he’s been actively involved on the bench, he’s been laughing with his teammates, he’s been up on his feet cheering, he’s handled this in a very impressive matter.” (via Noah Eagle).

In Embiid’s place, Anthony Davis produced 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists with a strong defensive presence. Heat center Bam Adebayo was tasked with backing up Davis and he made the most of that opportunity with a team-high 18 points and 7 rebounds.

pic.twitter.com/cf9CXJcyL1

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) July 31, 2024

With South Sudan being such an athletic and fast-paced team, Davis and Adebayo’s skillsets were better suited for this matchup. Embiid will likely regain his spot in Team USA’s rotation against Puerto Rico on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. EST on NBC, as Jayson Tatum did today.

Mandatory Credit: NBC broadcast of USA vs. South Sudan (screenshot)