Team USA basketball has been forced to cancel Friday’s exhibition game against Australia in Las Vegas amid COVID-19 concerns. Two players have been placed in health and safety protocols.
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal was placed in the team’s COVID-19 protocols on Wednesday. Thursday it was announced Beal would not participate in the Olympics in Tokyo for Team USA. Meanwhile, the team is looking to find a replacement for Beal on their roster.
Additionally, Detroit Pistons forward and Washington, DC area native Jerami Grant was also placed in COVID-19 protocols.
Friday’s game against Australia was supposed to be Team USA’s fourth pre-Olympics exhibition before traveling to Japan. Australia beat Team USA on July 12 by the score of 91-83. It was the second of back-to-back stunning losses for USA basketball.
Beal started in each of the three exhibitions, averaging 10.3 points. Grant played in all three games, including one start. He averaged 3.7 points.
Team USA is slated to conclude its exhibition schedule Saturday against Spain. The team’s first game in the Olympics is set for July 25 against France.
