BASKETBALL: Nigeria stun Team USA with shock win in Las Vegas

Post created on July 11, 2021

Nigeria’s basketball team – D’Tigers,  pulled off one of the greatest upsets in international basketball history on Saturday night by stunning Team USA in an Olympic exhibition game in Las Vegas, beating them 90-87.

Team USA had never lost a basketball match to an African nation until Saturday night in Las Vegas, with Nigeria pulling off one of the sport’s greatest shocks with a 90-87 victory against a star-studded US side.

It was Team USA’s first-ever loss to an African nation. They had defeated Nigeria 156-73 in August 2012 at the London Olympics.

Nigeria featured six NBA players and are coached by former NBA head coach and current Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Brown.

Nigeria vs USA

The Nigerian side defeated a Team USA starting five of Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Bam Adebayo. Gabe Vincent, who averaged 4.8 points in 13.1 minutes per game for the Miami Heat this past season, led all scorers with 21 points and made six 3-pointers for Nigeria. Durant scored 17 points and Tatum had 15 for Team USA.

Nigeria vs USA

“It just goes to show that we have to play better,” Tatum said.