Joel Embiid and Team USA defeat Puerto Rico with confidence to wrap up group play.
After going 3-0 in group play, Team USA will face Brazil on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
Against Jose Alvarado and Puerto Rico in the last group play match for Team USA, Joel Embiid was back in the starting lineup. In fact, the Stars and Stripes’ early situation appeared a little precarious.
After going on an 11-0 run early in the first quarter and making 4-of-7 three-pointers, Puerto Rico led by four points after the first ten minutes of play. But as with life, there would ultimately be a large talent gap, and Team USA opened things up by defeating Puerto Rico in the second quarter.
Regarding Embiid’s watch, the big man shot 2-of-2 from the foul line and 6-of-14 from the field to end with 15 points, leading the starting lineup. In addition, he had three blocks, two assists, three rebounds, and three turnovers. He gained notoriety first for his trademark turnaround midrange jumper:
Joel got a fantastic block on Alvarado at the rim during the subsequent defensive possession. He had an even stronger block of Ismael Romero the following quarter:
For the French audience, Embiid was in full Troel mode aside from the on-court production. He put his palm to his ear to better hear the jeers after one bucket in the second quarter:
