Jayson Tatum handed USA start in huge U-turn from Steve Kerr as Kendrick Perkins warns ‘they better stand on business’

TEAM USA has surprisingly chosen to start Jayson Tatum in their Paris Olympics game against South Sudan on Wednesday.

The 2023-24 Boston Celtics champion didn’t play in the USA ‘s blowout win over Serbia last weekend.

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USA head coach Steve Kerr has elected to start Tatum over point guard Jrue Holiday in the team’s second game of the Paris Olympics.

The decision led ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins to warn the team on X.

“Statement Game today for Team USA… and I mean they better stand on business ,” the former NBA center wrote.

Basketball fans, meanwhile, had mixed reactions to the news .

Some agreed with Kerr’s decision, with one writing, “Tatum will cook. Revenge game.”

Another said, “Tatum starting against South Sudan is all about matchups, they bullied us with their height last time so 6’8 Tatum starting makes sense.”

While others didn’t see eye-to-eye with Kerr, with one commenting, “I feel like Tatum is going to cause an L here.”

And a second added, “Kerr doesn’t make sense.”

Kerr promised Tatum would play in their game against South Sudan.

The Golden State Warriors coach also hinted he would have a different game plan than in their 110-84 victory over Serbia.

He moved Tatum into the starting lineup over Holiday with LeBron James and Devin Booker splitting their work as point guards.

Kerr also placed Anthony Davis into the starting lineup over Joel Embiid .

Team USA ‘s lineup changes come after previously winning by just one in their exhibition matchup versus South Sedan in London.

The U.S. was a 43.5-point favorite in that game.

This time, Team USA dominated South Sudan, securing a 103-86 win in Group C pool play.

Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo led the way with 18 points while Kevin Durant, LeBron, Anthony, Devin Booker, and Derrick White also finished in double figures in scoring.

How to watch the Olympics in the US

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While you may feel very far from the 2024 Paris Olympics , you can stay up-to-date with all of the action right from the comfort of your sofa.

You can watch on:

• Peacock
• Sling
• Hulu
• Fubo

Or if you’re not able to watch, you can follow along with The Sun’s live blog for the latest updates from France.

Tatum finished with four points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block.

Joel Embiid was the only American to not play versus South Sudan.

Team USA will advance to the knockout stage of the Olympic men’s basketball tournament.