Jayson Tatum

2024 - 7 - 28

Jayson Tatum Benched: Kerr's Decision Sparks Olympic Controversy!

Steve Kerr Boston Celtics - Jayson Tatum - NBA - Olympics - Serbia - Steve Kerr - Team USA

Why was NBA Champ Jayson Tatum benched in the Olympics opener? Coach Kerr spills the tea. ๐Ÿ€ ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

The sports world buzzed with confusion and a sprinkle of frustration when Boston Celtics' superstar, Jayson Tatum, was benched in Team USAโ€™s Olympic opener against Serbia. Fresh off an NBA championship and another All-NBA selection during the 2023-24 season, fans expected Tatum to shine brightly on the international stage. Instead, they were left scratching their heads and checked their Twitter feeds for some quick answers. Steve Kerr, Team USAโ€™s head coach, quickly became the target of fans' many question marks.

During the USA's impressive 110-84 victory, Boston's Jrue Holiday and Derrick White showcased their skills, but Tatum's presence was notably absent on the court. Post-game, Kerr was bombarded with inquiries concerning this perplexing benching. Speculations ranged from a surprise injury to an unknown illness. But Kerr, ever the straight-shooter, clarified that Tatum was neither injured nor sick.

Kerr's explanation?

Why didn't Jayson Tatum play in U.S. Olympic opener vs. Serbia? (NBC Olympics)

Jayson Tatum #10 and Tyrese Haliburton #9 of Team USA celebrate during the game against the Serbian Men's National Team on July 28, 2024 at the Stade Pierre ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum benched as Team USA beats ... (CBS News)

Celtics players Jrue Holiday and Derrick White cracked the box score, but Jayson Tatum didn't see any minutes against Serbia.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Why didn't Jayson Tatum play vs. Serbia? Team USA coach ... (USA TODAY)

Tatum is coming off an NBA title in June and another All-NBA selection in 2023-24. Yet he didn't play in the USA's 110-84 victory against Serbia.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Steve Kerr Explains Why Jayson Tatum Was Benched for Team USA ... (Sports Illustrated)

The Team USA head coach broke down the most controversial decision of Team USA's Olympic opener.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Yahoo Sports"

Why Jayson Tatum didn't play in Team USA's win over Serbia (Yahoo Sports)

Team USA coach Steve Kerr confirmed Tatum was not benched due to illness or injury. The 2024 NBA champion sat out because Kerr "went with the combinations that ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bleacher Report"

Steve Kerr Explains Jayson Tatum's Lack of Playing Time in Team ... (Bleacher Report)

Jayson Tatum did not play during the United States' 110-84 win over Serbia, and confirmed to reporters after the game that he wasn't sick or injured.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

Team USA's Steve Kerr explains why Jayson Tatum didn't play in ... (CBSSports.com)

Tatum, who made the All-NBA First Team and led the Celtics to a championship this past season, logged an average of 17.6 minutes in the Team USA's five ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Newsweek"

Jayson Tatum Responds to Not Playing in USA Basketball Men's ... (Newsweek)

Following the decision to not have Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum play in the Olympics opener for Team USA, Tatum responded. Many thought he may have been ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Boston.com"

Why Jayson Tatum didn't play in USA's win over Serbia in Olympics ... (Boston.com)

Jayson Tatum said he was fine after the game while coach Steve Kerr added that he was one of the odd men out of the rotation.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Steve Kerr gives simple reason for Jayson Tatum not playing in US ... (New York Post)

Finding minutes for everybody is going to be a challenge for Team USA basketball coach Steve Kerr.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Steve Kerr Gives Honest, Self Deprecating Answer About Jayson ... (Sports Illustrated)

Team USA did not need Jayson Tatum on Sunday afternoon. Granted, any combination of stars in the rotation for Steve Kerr probably would have found a way to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Bleacher Report"

Steve Kerr: 'I Felt Like an Idiot' Not Playing Jayson Tatum in USA ... (Bleacher Report)

Jayson Tatum did not play during the United States' 110-84 win over Serbia, and confirmed to reporters after the game that he wasn't sick or injured.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Jayson Tatum to see floor in second Olympic game vs. Serbia - ESPN (ESPN)

U.S. coach Steve Kerr made it clear that Jayson Tatum would be back in the lineup when the Americans face South Sudan.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Jayson Tatum 'will play' for Team USA vs. South Sudan after Sunday ... (The Athletic)

PARIS โ€“ Team USA coach Steve Kerr said Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum โ€œwill playโ€ Wednesday against South Sudan, notable because the three-time first-team ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Jayson Tatum to see floor in 2nd Olympic game vs. South Sudan ... (ESPN)

U.S. coach Steve Kerr made it clear that Jayson Tatum would be back in the lineup when the Americans face South Sudan.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Steve Kerr Gives Clear Update on Jayson Tatum Ahead of Team ... (Sports Illustrated)

Team USA coach Steve Kerr provided a straightforward answer on Jayson Tatum's playing time ahead of Wednesday's Group C matchup against South Sudan in the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NBA.com"

Steve Kerr confirms Jayson Tatum 'will play' in Team USA's game vs ... (NBA.com)

LILLE โ€” The long, dramatic and most controversial issue facing the country is over. โ€œJayson will play (Wednesday),โ€ said USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr. That ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Steve Kerr "felt like an idiot" for not playing Jayson Tatum during ... (CBS News)

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said he felt like "an idiot" not playing Celtics star Jayson Tatum on Sunday.

Explore the last week