Head coach Steve Kerr made a major lineup change for Team USA.
Kerr was under fire for his rotations during the pre-Olympics showcase and the first game of the tournament. First, it was Joel Embiid's struggles in the starting lineup while Anthony Davis played some of the best basketball on the team behind him. Then, it was Jayson Tatum receiving a "DNP — coach's decision" in the first game against Serbia after being a staple of the rotation in all five exhibition games.
Ahead of the United States' Olympic game against South Sudan, Kerr switched up the starting five. He elected to start Tatum and Davis, moving Embiid and Jrue Holiday to the bench.
Why was Embiid replaced in the starting lineup? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
FOLLOW LIVE: USA takes on South Sudan in Group Stage
Why is Joel Embiid not playing?
Kerr was adamant that his decision to bench Tatum in the first game was situational.
"I went with the combinations that made sense," Kerr said after the game. "That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark."
Until the Team USA head coach speaks after the game against South Sudan, we can only assume Embiid's benching is for the same reason.
Trying to navigate rotations with a roster of 12 stars is no easy feat. Someone has to be the odd man out. In the first game, that was Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Against South Sudan, it appears to be Embiid.
At the half, Embiid is the only player who has not checked into the game. There could be minutes available in the second half after Anthony Davis rolled his ankle in the second quarter.
MORE: Ranking Team USA's biggest threats at the Paris Olympics
Embiid has not played his best basketball in his U.S. men's national team debut this summer.
Surrounded by future Hall of Famers who are moving the ball quickly and finding the open man, Embiid's post-up game has bogged down the offense. On defense, more mobile bigs like Davis and Bam Adebayo have provided much more impactful minutes.
"This is a different setting," Embiid told BasketNews ahead of Team USA's second game. "In the NBA, I'm used to being the guy. Now, you gotta give it up, so I'm loving it."
Embiid averaged 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game during USA's exhibition showcase. He only had four points (2-5 FG), two rebounds and one block in 11 minutes in the first game of the tournament.
Check back for updates as they become available on Embiid's situation with Team USA.
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