In a scintillating display of basketball prowess, Tyrese Haliburton made a brief but impactful appearance as Team USA triumphed over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Games. Held at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, the clash featured a riveting contest between the United States and their South American rivals. The match saw the United States’ guard, Tyrese Haliburton (9), and center Bam Adebayo (13) vying for supremacy against South Sudan’s small forward Nuni Omot (5) and power forward Wenyen Gabriel (9).
With a dominant showing in the preliminary round, Team USA entered the knockout phase as the top seed, having breezed through group play. In stark contrast, Brazil, having ended group play with a 1-2 record in Group B, faced an uphill battle. Despite the apparent disparity in seeding, the Americans had to validate their preeminence on the court.
The onset of the game saw Team USA assert their dominance swiftly, amassing seven points within the initial two minutes. Their ascendancy was marked by a quick nine-point accumulation, propelling them to a 9-4 lead. The initial minutes underscored their significant talent advantage, manifesting in a rapid display of skill.
The American lineup, with all five starters contributing promptly, established a 13-6 lead, and within a mere four minutes, had carved out a double-digit advantage. It became apparent early on that if Team USA maintained their concentration throughout the match, victory was a foregone conclusion.
Even as the second unit took to the floor, the momentum remained unbroken. Bam Adebayo’s commendable performance off the bench ensured that the lead remained substantial, with Team USA ahead by 12 points at the end of the first quarter, the scoreline reading 33-21. Joel Embiid, with eight points, and Devin Booker, with nine, were instrumental in this early surge.
Entering the second quarter, Team USA continued to extend their lead, which ballooned to 16 points following a three-pointer from Anthony Edwards. The advantage nearly reached 20 as the quarter progressed. The game rapidly became a one-sided affair, with Brazil struggling to keep pace.
A brief resurgence by Brazil in the middle of the second period saw their deficit shrink to 14 points, prompting a timeout from Team USA. Despite some tactical adjustments, Brazil’s 10-0 run managed to keep the game within reach momentarily. However, Jayson Tatum halted this surge with crucial free throws.
Brazil’s reliance on three-point shooting and Team USA’s turnovers momentarily tightened the contest, reducing the American lead to single digits. Yet, Embiid’s timely three-pointer restored the margin, and Team USA eventually reestablished a 16-point lead. The Americans weathered Brazil’s best efforts to close the gap.
At halftime, Team USA’s lead had swelled significantly, closing the first half on a commanding 15-0 run to lead 63-36. Embiid led the scoring with 14 points, while LeBron James contributed with 10 points and eight assists.
The third period saw Team USA maintain their dominance, with their lead peaking at 25 points and remaining steadfast. Brazil’s earlier resurgence became a distant memory as the Americans’ reserves continued to push the lead beyond 20 points. During this frame, forward Kevin Durant surpassed the record for the all-time leading scorer for USA Basketball, demonstrating his persistent difficulty for opponents to contain.
Heading into the final quarter, Team USA held a 23-point advantage at 94-71. Brazil required a flawless final period to mount a comeback. Tyrese Haliburton, who had yet to see action, entered the game with 8:15 remaining and promptly contributed to the lead’s extension, which ballooned to 30 points shortly after his entry.
In his brief stint, Haliburton made a notable impact, scoring his first points with a deft layup following a fake pass. His presence helped secure Team USA’s commanding position, and his subsequent assist contributed to the final tally. The game concluded with a resounding 122-87 victory for Team USA, ensuring their place in the medal rounds. The Americans will next face Serbia on Thursday.
Booker led the American charge with 18 points, while Edwards added 17. Haliburton, in his limited play, contributed two points and one assist to the comprehensive win.
