Team USA vs Greece result, highlights: Jalen Brunson leads balanced American attack to improve to 2-0

Scott Rafferty

Team USA vs Greece result, highlights: Jalen Brunson leads balanced American attack to improve to 2-0 image

Team USA is now 2-0 in group play at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The USA followed its dominant win over New Zealand with a 109-81, 28-point victory over a Greece team that was without Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It was a balanced American attack. Austin Reaves led all scorers with 15 points off the bench while Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards led Team USA's starters in scoring with 13 points each.

Georgios Papagiannis had a strong night with 17 points in 23 minutes, but it wasn't enough to keep Greece close.

The Sporting News tracked updates and highlights from Team USA's victory over Greece below.

You can also watch the game on demand by signing up for a Courtside 1891 account here. Use discount code TSN10WC for savings.

MORE: Paolo Banchero is making strides toward stardom with FIBA World Cup role

Team USA vs Greece score

Team 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
USA 23 27 29 30 109
Greece 19 18 19 25 81

Team USA vs Greece updates, highlights

Final score: USA 109, Greece 81

10:30 a.m. — That's a wrap! Another dominant win for Team USA. Next up: Jordan on Wednesday, which tips off at 4:40 a.m. ET. Catch you then.

10:26 a.m. — A couple of important stats for Team USA: 25 assists on 34 field goals and 34 free throws. The ball has been moving and Team USA has been aggressive attacking the basket.

10:22 a.m. — Ooh, Thanasis Antetokounmpo spins around Walker Kessler and throws down a big dunk. That was nice.

10:21 a.m. — Team USA breaks 100 points with a layup from Tyrese Haliburton. The lead is up to 30 points.

10:13 a.m. — Austin Reaves has had himself a game. He sneaks to the basket for a layup, giving him a team-high 15 points on the night.

10:08 a.m. — Josh Hart now has five offensive rebounds, which is as many as Greece has as a team. He's been relentless.

End of third quarter: USA 79, Greece 56

10:03 a.m. — Team USA enters the fourth quarter in full control of this one. Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards are tied for team-high honors with 13 points each. Austin Reaves has been a big difference-maker off the bench, posting 11 points, four rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes.

Team USA is 10 minutes away from improving to 2-0 in group play.

9:55 a.m. — A 3-pointer from Jalen Brunson bumps Team USA's lead to 22 points, its largest of the game.

9:54 a.m. — Anthony Edwards has been a different player this half. After a four-point first half, he's scored seven points in the third quarter with five minutes still to go in the frame.

9:48 a.m. — Steve Kerr calls a timeout with 6:08 to go in the third quarter. Team USA leads 61-42.

9:45 a.m. — Tough start to the third quarter for Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who misses four straight free throws. Team USA is starting to take control of this one.

9:42 a.m. — Anthony Edwards opens the second half with a 3-pointer. Let's see if that gets him going.

End of second quarter: USA 50, Greece 37

9:26 a.m. — Team USA maintains a double-digit lead at the half thanks to a layup from Mikal Bridges and a couple of free throws from Anthony Edwards.

It's been a quiet game so far for Edwards, who has four points on 1-for-6 shooting at the half. It'll be interesting to see if he can get it going in the second half.

9:23 a.m. — Georgios Papagiannis continues to give Team USA trouble. He's leading all scorers with 15 points.

9:13 a.m. — Team USA's second unit is putting in work. Austin Reaves sets Tyrese Haliburton up for an open 3 to stretch the lead to 15.

In addition to Reaves, Josh Hart has provided a spark off the bench. He has four points to go along with five rebounds, two of which have come on the offensive glass. He's been everywhere.

9:09 a.m. — Paolo Banchero gives Team USA its first double-digit lead of the game with free throws.

USA leads Greece 35-25 with 6:20 to go in the half.

9:07 a.m. — Austin Reaves continues to make things happen off the bench. He's up to six points following a pair of free throws, tying him with Jalen Brunson for team-high honors. 

9:01 a.m. — An impressive sequence from Austin Reaves, who strips Ioannis Papapetrou in the post and then throws it down in transition to increase the USA's lead to five points. Timeout Greece.

End of first quarter: USA 23, Greece 19

8:57 a.m. — No timeouts in the first quarter. That was a quick one.

Turnovers have been an issue for Team USA again, racking up four in the opening frame. Tidying that up will be important for the rest of this game and tournament.

8:51 a.m. — Goodness, Jaren Jackson Jr. The NBA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year already has a couple of blocks, the second of which prevented a dunk in transition from Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

8:49 a.m. — A more confident start from Team USA, which leads Greece 16-12 around the midway point of the first quarter. Jalen Brunson has set the tone with six points while Greece's Georgios Papagiannis leads all scorers in the game with nine points. He's been a problem for the USA so far.

Pregame

8:35 a.m. — Same starters for Team USA: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Here are the starters for Greece, which is without Giannis Antetokounmpo: Thomas Walkup, Georgios Papagiannis, Kostas Papanikolaou, Emmanouil Chatzidakis and Thansis Antetokounmpo.

Where to watch Team USA vs Greece

  • Date: Monday, Aug. 28
  • Time: 8:40 a.m. ET | 5:40 a.m. PT
  • TV channel: ESPN2
  • Live stream: Sling TVCourtside 1891

Team USA vs Greece will air on ESPN2 in the United States. Viewers can also stream the game via Sling TV or catch a replay on Courtside 1891.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! You can stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month with Sling Orange, which includes ESPN2.

Courtside 1891 offers two subscriptions. Courtside 1891 Plus is free and gives you access to "extended highlights and a curated feed for your favorite teams and competition." Courtside 1891 Max is a paid subscription that allows you to watch "live game streams and full game replays."

If you just want to watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes the FIBA Basketball World Cup and other international competitions, costs $44.99. Use code TSN10WC to receive a 10 percent discount.

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Team USA roster for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Player Height Position
Paolo Banchero 6-10 Forward
Mikal Bridges 6-6 Forward
Jalen Brunson 6-2 Guard
Anthony Edwards 6-4 Guard
Tyrese Haliburton 6-5 Guard
Josh Hart 6-5 Guard
Brandon Ingram 6-8 Forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. 6-11 Center
Cam Johnson 6-8 Forward
Walker Kessler 7-0 Center
Bobby Portis 6-11 Forward
Austin Reaves 6-5 Guard

Team USA schedule at 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Team USA will be part of Group C at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The Americans will face Greece, Jordan and New Zealand in the group stage and play their games in the Philippines.

Date Opponent Time (ET)/Result
Aug. 26 vs New Zealand W, 99-72
Aug. 28 vs Greece W, 109-81
Aug. 30 vs Jordan 4:40 a.m.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.