Head coach Steve Kerr made a major lineup change for Team USA.
Kerr was under fire for his rotations during the pre-Olympics showcase and the first game of the tournament. First, it was Joel Embiid's struggles in the starting lineup while Anthony Davis played some of the best basketball on the team behind him. Then, it was Jayson Tatum receiving a "DNP — coach's decision" in the first game against Serbia after being a staple of the rotation in all five exhibition games.
Ahead of the United States' Olympic game against South Sudan, Kerr switched up the starting five. He elected to start Tatum and Davis, moving Embiid and Jrue Holiday to the bench.
Why was Embiid replaced in the starting lineup? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
MORE: Bam Adebayo's two-way play leads Team USA over South Sudan
Why is Joel Embiid not playing?
Kerr was adamant that his decision to bench Tatum in the first game was situational.
"I went with the combinations that made sense," Kerr said after the game. "That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark."
The Team USA head coach had a similar response as to why Embiid never saw the floor Wednesday, citing South Sudan's speed as the reason the big man did not play, per The Washington Post's Ben Golliver.
Kerr also mentioned that Embiid will be back in the starting lineup against Puerto Rico on Friday, joining Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday — the same starting five from the first game.
Trying to navigate rotations with a roster of 12 stars is no easy feat. Someone has to be the odd man out. In the first game, that was Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Against South Sudan, it was Embiid.
The star center was the only player who did not see the floor in Team USA's second game. It may not be a coincidence since Embiid has not played his best basketball in his U.S. men's national team debut this summer.
MORE: Ranking Team USA's biggest threats at the Paris Olympics
Surrounded by future Hall of Famers who are moving the ball quickly and finding the open man, Embiid's post-up game has bogged down the offense. On defense, more mobile bigs like Davis and Bam Adebayo have provided much more impactful minutes.
"This is a different setting," Embiid told BasketNews ahead of Team USA's second game. "In the NBA, I'm used to being the guy. Now, you gotta give it up, so I'm loving it."
Embiid averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game during USA's exhibition showcase. He only had four points (2-5 FG), two rebounds and one block in 11 minutes in the first game of the tournament before receiving a "DNP — coach's decision" in the second game.
