Team USA’s journey at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup continues on Sunday when it closes group play against Lithuania.
Both Team USA and Lithuania are 4-0 through their first four games at the tournament, meaning both teams have already secured their spots in the quarterfinals. Sunday’s game, however, will determine which of the two teams finishes first in Group J.
For an American team that has struggled with rebounding, Lithuania’s Jonas Valanciunas provides a unique challenge. If Team USA can keep the Pelicans big man off the boards, it will be in a great position to move to 5-0 before the knockout stage begins.
With two of the best teams in the tournament facing off, there should be no shortage of entertainment.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights throughout Team USA’s tilt with Lithuania.
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Team USA vs Lithuania score
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final | |
| USA | 12 | 25 | 28 | — | — |
| Lithuania | 31 | 23 | 17 | — | — |
Team USA vs Lithuania live updates, highlights
(All times Eastern.)
End of Third Quarter: Lithuania 71, USA 65
9:57 a.m. — It’s a furious sprint from both teams to end the quarter but a putback from Mindaugas Kuzminskas allows Lithuania to keep a small cushion.
Team USA outscored its opponent by 11 points in the third to cut the deficit to six with one quarter left.
Anthony Edwards leads the way with 20 points while Mikal Bridges is up to 11 points, stepping up in big spots on the offensive end. Also stepping up offensively for Team USA is Brandon Ingram, who has eight points in the game.
Lithuania is 1 of 11 from deep after hitting its first nine attempts of the game, but it has 17 offensive rebounds, creating plenty of second chances.
9:50 a.m. — Lithuania has responded. Its lead is back out to eight points but it feels like this game will be tightly contested.
Lithuania 60, USA 52.
9:45 a.m. — Here comes Team USA.
It’s now a 13-2 run for the Americans through the first four minutes of the second half and the deficit is down to six points. Anthony Edwards is up to 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting while Jalen Brunson has set the table with seven assists.
Timeout Lithuania.
Lithuania 56, USA 50.
9:40 a.m. — Team USA is trying to chip away at this deficit. A quick 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half has cut the deficit to nine points.
Lithuania 54, USA 45.
Halftime: Lithuania 54, USA 37
9:22 a.m. — Lithuania enters the halftime break with a 17-point lead as Team USA fails to turn the corner and chip away at its deficit.
Lithuania, which has pulled down 10 offensive boards, has outrebounded Team USA 26-15. For Lithuania, Jonas Valancinuas leads the way with 11 points to go along with six rebounds. Lithuanian forward Tadas Sedekerskis has pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.
After draining its first nine triples, Lithuania is shooting 9 of 12 from deep.
Team USA, which is dealing with foul trouble of Jaren Jackson Jr. (3) and Austin Reaves (2), is led by 16 points from Anthony Edwards. Outside of Edwards, however, the team has scored a combined 21 points on 8-of-22 (36.3 percent) shooting).
9:18 a.m. — Offensively, Lithuania is getting what it wants and Team USA is just trying to keep up.
Lithuania leads by 19 with one minute left in the half.
Lithuania 54, USA 35.
9:10 a.m. — Lithuania remains in control.
Jonas Valancinuas is up to a team-high-tying nine points and Lithuania is 9 of 9 from deep. As a result, Lithuania is up by 19 points as the first half winds down.
Lithuania 48, USA 29.
9:07 a.m. — That’s three fouls on Jaren Jackson Jr., whose half is probably done. The problem for Team USA is over six minutes are left in the half.
After drawing the foul, Jonas Valanciunas sinks both freebies to add to Lithuania’s lead.
Lithuania 44, USA 29.
9:05 a.m. — Lithuania cannot miss.
It has knocked down each of its first nine 3-point attempts but Team USA is sticking around. Anthony Edwards is up to 13 points in the game but Lithuania is keeping a distance thanks to its shooting.
Lithuania 42, USA 26.
9:02 a.m. — After Lithuania’s lead ballooned to 21 points, Team USA responds with a quick 7-0 sprint to cut into the deficit.
Anthony Edwards is up to eight points to lead the way for the Americans. Timeout Lithuania.
Lithuania 33, USA 19.
End of First Quarter: Lithuania 31, USA 12
8:58 a.m. — More foul trouble for Team USA: Austin Reaves has picked up two fouls in the first quarter.
Lithuania has been relentless and will close the first quarter with a 19-point lead over Team USA. Lithuania, which shot 6 of 6 from 3-point range, is led by nine points from Vaidas Karinauskas. Jonas Valancinuas has five points, three rebounds and two blocks.
As a team, Lithuania is outrebounding Team USA 17-7. Lithuania has pulled down seven offensive boards.
8:54 a.m. — It’s now a 13-point for Lithuania, which is humming like a well-oiled machine early on. Lithuania is now shooting a perfect 5 of 5 from beyond the arc and is outrebounding Team USA 15-7.
Team USA is struggling early, shooting an ice-cold 5 of 15 from the field. Steve Kerr has signaled for a timeout and will look for the second unit to turn this game around.
Lithuania 23, USA 10.
8:51 a.m. — Lithuania’s lead has now reached double digits.
Thanks in large part to shooting a perfect 4 of 4 from beyond the arc, Lithuania now leads by 10 points as the first quarter begins to wind down. Under three minutes remain.
Lithuania 20, USA 10.
8:47 a.m. — It’s a great start for Lithuania early on. Jonas Valanciunas is making his presence felt with five early points and two blocks. At the midway point of the first quarter, Lithuania holds a five-point lead.
It is worth noting that Jaren Jackson Jr. has already picked up two fouls.
Lithuania 13, USA 8.
Pregame
8:35 a.m. — Starting for Team USA: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Lithuania will go with a starting lineup of Margiris Normantas, Tadas Sedekerskius, Ignas Brazdeikis Rokas Jokubaitis and Jonas Valanciunas.
8:10 a.m. — “We’ll have to bring our A-game.”
As tip-off nears, Team USA’s Cameron Johnson is well aware of the challenges that the Lithuanian National Team presents. The battle of international powers should be a good one.
Where to watch Team USA vs Lithuania
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 3
- Time: 8:40 a.m. ET | 5:40 a.m. PT
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+ | Courtside 1891 | Sling TV
Team USA vs Lithuania will air on ESPN2. Viewers can also stream FIBA Basketball World Cup action on ESPN+, Sling TV or Courtside 1891.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! You can stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month with Sling Orange, which includes ESPN2.
Courtside 1891 offers two subscriptions. Courtside 1891 Plus is free and gives you access to “extended highlights and a curated feed for your favorite teams and competition.” Courtside 1891 Max is a paid subscription that allows you to watch “live game streams and full game replays.”
If you just want to watch the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, you can buy a pass for the entire tournament for $9.99. An annual pass, which includes the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and other international competitions, costs $44.99. Use code TSN10WC to receive a 10 percent discount.
Geo-restrictions may apply to certain regions. Click here to find out which games are available in your region.
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Team USA schedule at 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
The United States finished atop Group C in the first round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. It has formed Group J with Montenegro, Lithuania and Greece in the second round.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET)/Result | TV Channel |
| Saturday, Aug. 26 | vs New Zealand | W, 99-72 | ESPN2 |
| Monday, Aug. 28 | vs Greece | W, 109-81 | ESPN2 |
| Wednesday, Aug. 30 | vs Jordan | W, 110-62 | ESPN2 |
| Friday, Sept. 1 | vs Montenegro | W, 85-73 | ESPN2 |
| Sunday, Sept. 3 | vs Lithuania | 8:40 a.m. | ESPN2 |
Team USA roster for 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves are among the players representing the United States Men’s National Team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Here is Team USA’s full roster:
| Position | Player | Team |
| F | Paolo Banchero | Magic |
| F | Mikal Bridges | Nets |
| G | Jalen Brunson | Knicks |
| G | Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves |
| G | Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers |
| G | Josh Hart | Knicks |
| F | Brandon Ingram | Pelicans |
| F | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies |
| F | Cam Johnson | Nets |
| C | Walker Kessler | Jazz |
| F | Bobby Portis | Bucks |
| G | Austin Reaves | Lakers |
When is the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup?
- Dates: Aug. 25 to Sept. 10
- Where: Philippines, Japan and Indonesia
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup tipped off on Friday, Aug. 25. The Group Stages will run through Sept. 3 with the single-elimination knockout stage beginning on Sept. 5.
The tournament will conclude with the gold medal match on Sunday, Sept. 10.