Steve Kerr Justifies Decision To Bench Jayson Tatum In USA vs. Serbia

Jayson Tatum wasn't hurt. He wasn't facing an unknown suspension or sulking as the result of some tough rotation decisions.

Instead, the Boston Celtics superstar simply didn't play in Team USA's blowout victory to tip off the 2024 Olympics due to a coach's decision .

After the Americans' impressive, 110-84, victory over Serbia on Sunday, Steve Kerr explained why Tatum never left the bench against Nikola Jokic and company.

"I went with the combinations that made sense," he said of Tatum, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark.”

Team USA certainly didn't need Tatum's exploits in Lille to easily dispatch another medal contender.

LeBron James was arguably the United States' best player versus Serbia, while Kevin Durant — making his long-awaited return from a calf injury — poured in a scintillating 21 points before halftime. Devin Booker drained four 3s, and Anthony Edwards made his explosive presence felt on both ends. The frontcourt tandem of Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo suffocated the opposition once again defensively.

Where should have Tatum fit into Team USA's lineup on Sunday given those developments?

There will undoubtedly come a time when the Americans need Tatum on the path to a gold medal. But international basketball isn't the NBA, and Team USA isn't the Celtics.  Someone had to join Tyrese Haliburton on the outside looking in at regular minutes upon the United States getting back to full-strength.

With James and Durant playing and thriving in such central roles for a deep, well-rounded Team USA, Tatum could prove more of a bit player at the Olympics than he's ever been for Boston.

Related: Team USA's Questionable Decision vs. Germany Ignites Intense Backlash