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Phoenix Suns starting shooting guard Devin Booker finished with four points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal and two turnovers in 18 minutes in Team USA’s 83-76 loss to France in its group play match on Sunday morning at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Finals guys have arrived!
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 24, 2021
Welcome to Tokyo, @DevinBook @Jrue_Holiday11 & @Khris22m! pic.twitter.com/2Z7olhOi4h
Booker, who arrived in Tokyo, Japan, fewer than 48 hours ago after the Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals, scored his first points of his Olympic career with 7:51 left in the second quarter, hitting a long 2-pointer over France shooting guard Nando de Colo.
Devin Booker's first Olympic points (a long two) pic.twitter.com/ZDF0ZyJfTC
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021
It was Booker’s only field goal of the game, as he missed his other five attempts. He made two free throws in the fourth quarter to give Team USA a 74-67 lead with 3:19 remaining before France went on a 14-0 run to regain an advantage that would seal the game.
In its loss, Team USA was led by Milwaukee Bucks starting point guard Jrue Holiday, who had 18 points on 5-of-13 shooting with seven rebounds, four assists and a turnover. Brooklyn Nets small forward Kevin Durant was plagued by foul trouble throughout the game, scoring just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting in 20 minutes.
It was the Americans’ first loss in the Olympics since Aug. 27, 2004, when they lost to eventual gold-medal champion Argentina in the semifinals of the knockout stage.
With its defeat, Team USA will next return to the court on Tuesday, when it faces Iran at 9:40 p.m. PT.
Here’s a recap of some of Booker’s moments from the game.
Olympic Book pic.twitter.com/UMgWsVY2OT
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021
Devin Booker time. On the floor with Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green and Keldon Johnson. pic.twitter.com/ccQ1DvGq8z
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021
Team USA up on France 22-13 with 1:23 left in the first quarter. Americans have done a good job getting in transition. Clearly going to be the strength of this team with its versatility and not as much size.
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021
Devin Booker missed his first and only shot so far (below) pic.twitter.com/ynDSri8pPo
Team USA ended the first quarter on a 16-6 run and leads France 22-15. Booker got a good look here at the end of the quarter, just couldn't hit. pic.twitter.com/3DBQQgceYb
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021
Good defense by Devin Booker on Evan Fournier pic.twitter.com/1jpCbrClG7
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 25, 2021
Little 0.5 easy drive and kick here from Booker to Holiday pic.twitter.com/42gANk4HVf
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) July 25, 2021
Big assist from Devin Booker to Zach Lavine to put USA up five pic.twitter.com/Hjv1TJgORN
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) July 25, 2021