On Sunday, two New York Knicks led their national teams to important exhibition victory in advance of this month’s FIBA World Cup by lighting up European opponents with their scorching shooting.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor and scored 22 points to lead Team USA to a 98-88 victory against top-ranked Spain in Malaga, and RJ Barrett of Team Canada made 13 of 14 field goals and scored 31 points in an overtime win over Germany.
The United States’ first two “Showcase” exhibition games leading up to the World Cup were expected blowout triumphs, but Sunday’s contest was a much tougher test for Brunson and the American squad.
Despite missing longstanding point guard and 12-year NBA veteran Ricky Rubio, the defending World Cup champion Spain is regarded the best contender for the Steve Kerr-coached U.S. squad.
Brunson retook his starting position in the Timberwolves’ backcourt next to Anthony Edwards, the team’s shooting guard.
Kerr has started Brunson in the first three preseason games, instead of Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, though the two did play together for a while in Sunday’s triumph.
Kerr told reporters last week, “I think Jalen is such a natural leader.” Being a point guard makes him stand out in my mind. He’s the one shouting “1, 2, 3 USA” at the top of his lungs. For some dudes, it’s like second nature.
After falling behind late in the third quarter, Team USA rallied to defeat Spain, 28-19. The Americans will play their final two exhibition games next week in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Before their World Cup debut against New Zealand on August 26, the United States will face Greece on Friday and Germany on Sunday.
Mikal Bridges (12 points) of the Nets started in the frontcourt alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies and Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans.
Kerr’s second unit included Knicks wing Josh Hart and Nets power forward Cam Johnson.
The United States took a four-point lead early in the fourth quarter after Johnson made two crucial 3-pointers in the second quarter and another in the third, for a total of nine points, and Bridges scored five consecutive.
Earlier in the first half, Brunson had assisted on a crucial 3-pointer by Bridges, a former teammate of his from Villanova’s 2016 NCAA championship squad.
In the first half, Brunson scored 16 points on 7-of-7 shooting and dished out three assists.
On Saturday, Brunson led the Mavericks to victory over Slovenia (without his former colleague Luka Doncic) with 11 points and eight assists.
The $104 million point guard recorded a double-double (12 rebounds) in the USA’s exhibition opener triumph over Puerto Rico last week.
Brunson told reporters last week, “I have to be myself.” “Don’t try to put yourself in my position; instead, act as I would. You need to set an example, speak up, and understand your audience to be an effective leader.
What I’ve learned most from this crew, though, is that everyone is willing to make concessions. We have a lot of guys that are ready to do that, and it’s crucial to our success.