Team USA vs. Spain results, highlights: Perfection from Jalen Brunson leads USA over Spain in World Cup exhibition

Kevin Skiver

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Team USA vs. Spain results, highlights: Perfection from Jalen Brunson leads USA over Spain in World Cup exhibition image

The final score may not reflect it, but Spain pushed the United States to the brink in Sunday's exhibition in Malaga.

Led by Jalen Brunson, the United States entered halftime up by 10 and with a ton of momentum. A furious run from Spain out of the half led by Santi Aldama, however, led Team USA to the brink in a one-point game after three quarters.

Anthony Edwards helped Team USA find the afterburners in the fourth, with the team outscoring Spain 25-16 during the final 10 minutes. That was the difference, as the United States played a far more physical brand of basketball than it did during the first three quarters.

Team USA found its 3-point shot in the first half and, though it faltered in the second, that was enough to win. Brunson was impeccable, finishing with 22 points and going 9 of 9 from the field, whereas Jaren Jackson Jr. put up 12 points. Transition baskets out of turnovers were also key for the United States. The team will now head to Abu Dhabi for games against Greece and Germany next week.

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The Sporting News tracked the United States' warm-up game against Spain from Malaga. Follow below to see how the game transpired.

Team USA vs. Spain score

  1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
USA 26 29 18 25 98
Spain 28 17 27 16 88

Team USA vs. Spain live updates, highlights

Final Score: USA 98, Spain 88

5:32 p.m. — That will do it for this game, as the United States wins 98-88 and both teams get a big ovation from the Spain crowd. Solid game on both sides, and the United States is 3-0 in this round of exhibitions.

5:24 p.m. — Edwards has been quiet-ish by his standards in this game, but he is up to eight points on a great reverse to make it 92-84 USA. He is fouled again on the ensuing possession as he continues to play well down the stretch.

5:21 p.m. — Brandon Ingram has some great helpside defense on Hernangomez and comes in with a blindside block. 88-82 USA with four minutes remaining.

5:15 p.m. — No sooner is that update sent than it becomes a four-point game again! Spain cut it down with a roll-in from Hernangomez, but Brunson is now going to the line.

5:13 p.m. — The ball has started to roll up the hill for Team USA. Another 3 pushes the lead to seven, 86-79. Good run here after a tough stretch for the United States to start the fourth.

5:10 p.m. — The pace continues with a pair of lead changes to start the fourth. Spain took the lead before a United States and-one made it 76-74 again. Bridges then pulls up from about eight out and gives the United States a four-point lead. Pace is picking up again, as Spain answers with a 3 to make it a one-point game before a Spain foul.

End of Q3: USA 73, Spain 72

5:05 p.m. — Spain hits a 3 from Alberto Diaz to make it a one-point game after three, so we're in for a doozy here in the fourth. Spain goes +9 on the quarter to make sure it's a photo finish at home.

5:02 p.m. — United States isn't going down without a fight. Mikal Bridges hits a nice reverse to tie things up, and Reaves gives the United States a 71-69 lead with a minute left in the third. Spain takes a timeout after a Banchero reverse makes it 73-69 USA.

4:58 p.m. — Spain officially takes the lead on a pair of free throws, making it 65-64. Santi Aldama does the honors. Fernandez then hits a 3 and it's 68-64. Really impressive showing. A Cam Johnson 3 tosses a bandage on the bleeding.

4:55 p.m. — Spain has shooters! Nuñez hits a triple to make it a 64-63 game (USA leads) with 4:20 in the half. Tremendous fortitude being shown from Spain as this quarter goes on.

4:47 p.m. — Spain adds to a 9-0 run out of the half and Jackson finally hits a 3 to make it 58-54. Big basket there for the United States, but it gets squandered by a goaltend on the other end to make it 58-56, and there's another turnover. Disastrous start to the half, no two ways about it.

4:45 p.m. — Spain is really gunning early, as Alex Abrines hits a triple to cut the 10-point lead coming out of the half in half to five. Spain moves the ball extremely well.

4:44 p.m. — We're back underway in the second half, and Willy Hernangomez immediately scores coming out. Good job from Spain to recapture momentum after an inauspicious end to the half.

Halftime: USA 55, Spain 45

4:24 p.m. — Anthony Edwards throws down an emphatic dunk after a Spain missed dunk. That puts an exclamation point on the half. Austin Reaves then throws another one on and gives the United States a 10-point lead at the half. Huge turn of events to give the United States a 55-45 lead.

4:22 p.m. — To that point, Brunson continues to lead the way with 16 points as halftime approaches.

4:19 p.m. — Brunson really is such a good catalyst for this offense. This probably wasn't on purpose though.

4:15 p.m. — The United States is building up a bit of momentum, and a 3 has built the lead up to seven. Spain, however, has shown an ability to put up points. 49-42 with 2:49 left in the half.

4:11 p.m. — The United States is starting to adjust defensively. Steve Kerr has them taking away skip passes, which have bitten them. Spain adjusts as well, however, and stays within two by exploiting an open middle near the free throw line. Some good coaching going on here.

4:09 p.m. — Tons of ebb and flow in this game so far. Both teams are shooting 3s well, the United States is looking a little bigger inside. It's 36-34 three minutes into the second, with neither team showing signs of slowing up.

4:03 p.m. — Both teams exchange triples again, with Johnson hitting another one and Rudy Fernandez hitting one on the other end to tie things up again. Nice ball movement on both sides is leading to some great looks.

4:01 p.m. — Cam Johnson continues the strong 3-point shooting from the United States, hitting a triple from the wing to give Team USA a lead, if only for a moment. Paolo Banchero picked up a foul on the other end and we're tied up again.

End of Q1: Spain 28, USA 26

3:58 p.m. — The first quarter ends with Spain in the lead, 28-26. There's been some nice shooting from Baloncesto España, whereas the United States have met some resistance trying to bang inside. All in all, effective from both teams, but the United States is in for a much-needed test.

3:51 p.m. — Spain has taken the lead again on another 3 to make it 23-22. Quick releases on this roster are proving to be an issue for the United States. They just hit another 3 on a kickout to make it 26-22 with 1:42 in the first. Strong quarter for Spain from beyond the arc.

3:49 p.m. — Spain takes the lead momentarily on a 3 from the corner, but Brunson immediately answers to make it 20-18 USA again. 3-point shooting has been a big bugaboo for the United States, so that's a promising sign.

3:45 p.m. — Willy Hernangomez shows his strength there. Shoves Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lane and draws a foul as he scores. Nice move inside as play stops momentarily.

3:43 p.m. — Nearing the five-minute mark in the first, both teams are looking for a flow on offense. Spain had hit a 3 but the United States is still running with flow. Ingram has another dunk but Spain is keeping pace. 17-12 USA with five minutes remaining in the first.

3:38 p.m. — Both teams exchanged baskets to start the game, with Brunson hitting a mid-range turnaround and Spain answering with a dunk on the other end. Brandon Ingram then flushes a dunk on the other end.

3:35 p.m. — Both teams are on the floor as they continue opening ceremonies. The United States will be wearing white whereas Spain is donning black. Jackson Jr. tips off against Geuer.

3:30 p.m. — Welcome to USA vs. Spain in an exhibition match ahead of the FIBA World Cup! Tip-off is fast approaching from Malaga as the United States seek a second straight win in Spain Sunday.

What channel is Team USA vs. Spain on?

  • Date: Sunday, Aug. 13
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • TV channels: Fox
  • Live stream: Sling TV | 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.

Courtside 1891 is FIBA's official streaming service. It 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." Geo-restrictions may apply to certain regions.

If you just want to watch FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and other international competitions, costs $44.99.

USA Basketball Showcase schedule

After one showcase game against Puerto Rico, the team headed to Spain for a pair of games. After its game against Spain, it will finish with two more tune-ups against Greece and Germany in Abu Dhabi.

You can find the United States' full training camp exhibition schedule below.

Date Opponent Time (ET) Location
Monday, Aug. 7 vs. Puerto Rico (USA 117, PR 74) -- --
Saturday, Aug. 12 vs. Slovenia (USA 92, Slovenia 62) -- --
Sunday, Aug. 13 vs. Spain (USA 98, Spain 88) 3:30 p.m. Malaga, Spain
Friday, Aug. 18 vs. Greece 12 p.m. Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sunday, Aug. 20 vs. Germany 12 p.m. Abu Dhabi, UAE

Team USA roster for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Here are the players who will represent the United States Men's National Team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Position Player Team
F Paolo Banchero Magic
F Mikal Bridges Nets
G Jalen Brunson Knicks
G Anthony Edwards Timberwolves
G Tyrese Haliburton Pacers
G Josh Hart Knicks
F Brandon Ingram Pelicans
F Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies
F Cam Johnson Nets
C Walker Kessler Jazz
F Bobby Portis Bucks
G Austin Reaves Lakers

Kevin Skiver

Kevin Skiver Photo

Kevin Skiver has been a content producer at Sporting News since 2021. He previously worked at CBS Sports as a trending topics writer, and now writes various pieces on MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and college sports. He enjoys hiking and eating, not necessarily in that order.