Joel Embiid receives Jayson Tatum treatment for Team USA

Team USA made the bold decision to bench Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid for the entirety of Wednesday's game against South Sudan.

This choice is giving fans flashbacks to Sunday's matchup against Serbia, where Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was a DNP-CD. The difference is coach Steve Kerr rolled with a 10-man rotation on Sunday, meaning guard Tyrese Haliburton also didn't play. Embiid was the only player to not appear for the USA in today's game.

Instead, the USA started Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis, who was backed up by Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo. They took down South Sudan comfortably, 103-86, unlike their one-point exhibition match victory. Adebayo shined with the increased playing time, recording 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 8 of 10 shooting. Davis also played a solid game, contributing on both ends of the floor.

The media should not overreact to Embiid's DNP-CD, considering the rest needed for a player with a history of injury problems. Not to mention, Embiid is mostly unbothered by the benching, sharing his perspective on the loaded Team USA roster with BasketNews .

"In the NBA, I'm used to being the guy. Now, you gotta give it up, so I'm loving it," Embiid said.

If the pattern of being benched before joining the starting lineup continues, Embiid will rejoin the first group against Puerto Rico on Aug. 3.