Joel Embiid erupts in Team USA’s 122-87 win over Brazil in quarter-finals

Team USA slaughtered Brazil 122-87 in the quarter-finals led by Joel Embiid’s elite first half consisting of 14 points and 7 rebounds, on 5-6 shooting from the field and 3-3 shooting from beyond the arc.

Joel Embiid at halftime

– 14 points
– 7 rebounds
– 1 assist
– 1 block
– 5/6 FG
– 3/3 3P

Leads all scorers🔥

(📸: Jamie Squire / Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/YtNqTE0Iuy

— Jacob Moreno (@jmoreno76ers) August 6, 2024

Embiid remained in Team USA’s starting lineup with head coach Steve Kerr swapping Jayson Tatum for Jrue Holiday to take the floor alongside Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and LeBron James.

Joel Embiid dominates the first half

Joel Embiid came out guns blazing to start the first quarter, drilling two-spot up threes and scoring a quick layup as Team USA caught fire early on. Embiid finished the opening frame with 8 points, with only Devin Booker scoring more.

Despite a hot start, Embiid struggled to contain Brazil’s pick-and-rolls as he was repeatedly targeted in drop coverage with a series of pull-up jumpers and floaters, especially by guard Marcelo Huertas.

Joel Embiid is the ultimate showman

He is in his element right now. Hostile environment and giving it right back while playing some extremely high level basketball

For some reason TL is a little quieter than a few games ago…pic.twitter.com/SJE09GafSA

— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) August 6, 2024

Embiid carried the momentum he built into the second quarter, hitting yet another off-the-catch triple, converting an and-one at the rim off a missed layup from Jayson Tatum, and flexing with a little DX chop to celebrate.

Team USA made a key defensive adjustment with Embiid, taking him out of drop coverage and allowing him to switch onto guards, which served USA well as the 2023 MVP strung together a series of stops with his perimeter defense.

After playing his most dominant game of his Team USA tenure, Embiid was given the entirety of the second half to rest as Bam Adebayo started the third quarter and the game was well-decided.

Team USA will once again face Nikola Jokic and Team Serbia in the semifinals of the Men’s basketball Olympic tournament.

Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)