2024 Paris Olympics: Team USA ...

After an early scare from Puerto Rico, the United States asserted itself with a 104–83 win on Saturday. The U.S. finishes group play 3–0 and moves on to the knockout round. Puerto Rico led 29–25 after the first quarter and that was essentially its highlight for the game. From there, it was all Team USA in what became a dominant win to close out their Group B bracket. Anthony Edwards played like the No. 1 option he said he was, scoring a game-high 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting. With breakaway dunks, soaring layups and sharpshooting threes, Edwards was “giving ‘em everything,” as NBC commentator Dwyane Wade put it. It’s the best feeling ever; it’s a dream come true,” Edwards told NBC's Noah Eagle and Wade in an on-court interview afterward. “I’m making the most of it. After Edwards, the scoring was spread around throughout the Team USA lineup. Joel Embiid finished with 15 and embraced the villain role, egging on the Pierre Mauroy Stadium crowd that previously booed him to cheer as the final seconds expired. Jayson Tatum notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James finished with 10 points, six rebounds and eight assists. As the U.S. came back and took control in the second and third quarters, James looked like the best player on the floor, especially with his court vision. Also scoring in double figures were Kevin Durant with 11 and Anthony Davis with 10. Jose Alvarado led Puerto Rico with 18 points, and Ismael Romero added 12 in a team effort that started with promise but soon buckled to Team USA's dominance. Group play closes out Saturday with Serbia facing South Sudan at 3 p.m. ET. The U.S. is one of three teams that emerged from group play undefeated, joining Canada and Germany. Team USA easily had the largest point differential in the bracket at +64 (Germany was the next best at +47). The Americans will be the No. 1 seed as the quarterfinals begin Tuesday. Team USA will play Brazil at 3:30 p.m. ET.