Team USA's preparations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics have taken a huge hit on Thursday after USA Basketball announced that Bradley Beal will not be able to participate in the Summer Games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Beal entered COVID-19 protocols a day after Team USA's 108-80 thrashing of Argentina. The Washington Wizards guard did not show any signs of illness in that game, even leading the American team in scoring alongside Kevin Durant.
Shortly after confirming the loss of Beal, Team USA also announced that Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant has been placed in the program's health and safety protocols "out of an abundance of caution." According to the Athletic, Grant had not tested positive for COVID-19.
Popovich devastated with Beal's loss
Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich was heartbroken with Beal's COVID-19 diagnosis, telling reporters, "Since he was a little kid, this has been a dream of his. He was playing great, he was having fun, being a big part of us coming together chemistry-wise. It's devastating."
Beal's sudden departure from the squad leaves a huge void in Team USA's lineup. He started in the backcourt alongside Damian Lillard in each of the Americans' three exhibition games this week. After averaging just seven points in their first two exhibition matches, Beal started to find his offensive rhythm in the win against Argentina, scoring 17 points.
Popovich is now faced with a major dilemma with Beal gone and Grant now sidelined. Their roster is in complete shambles at the moment with Jayson Tatum also dealing with a knee injury that has forced him to miss Team USA's last two exhibition games.
In addition to that, three of Popovich's main players for Tokyo are still not with the squad as Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker are all still slugging it out in the NBA Finals. The series between Milwaukee and Phoenix will go at least six games after the Bucks' dramatic Game 4 win over the Suns.
Related Article: Team USA Basketball: Tokyo Olympics and Exhibition Games Schedule
Team USA's exhibition schedule already over?
This is not an ideal preparation for an American side that is looking to reclaim its throne on the international stage. Team USA finished a disappointing seventh place in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, losing to France in the quarterfinals that knocked them out of the medal hunt.
USA Basketball wanted to make sure there won't be a repeat of that shock finish as they constructed one of the best sides in Team USA history for the Tokyo Olympics. They even got the commitment of NBA superstar Kevin Durant who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Team USA's star power did not translate to victories, however, as the Americans dropped their first two exhibition games. They lost 90-87 to Nigeria in their opening match before suffering a 91-83 defeat at the hands of Australia.
They were set to face Australia again tomorrow but according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, discussions are already underway about canceling that exhibition match due to COVID-19 concerns with the American camp.
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