Incident During Practice Game
In a practice game between the USA Olympic men’s basketball team and their sparring partners, an unfortunate incident occurred. Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski was hit in the head by an elbow from USA center Joel Embiid, causing him to collapse on the court. Players from both teams rushed to check on Podziemski, who was unable to get up immediately and eventually had to leave the court.
Details of the Incident
The incident happened during a rebound battle. Podziemski was positioning himself when the ball was tapped outside the three-point line. Embiid, seemingly unaware of Podziemski being knocked down, unintentionally elbowed him. Podziemski, a standout rookie, had been performing excellently against the USA team.
Fans Praise the Intensity
Despite it being just a practice game, fans praised the players for their intensity and effort on both offense and defense, noting that it was more exciting than an All-Star game. Embiid even argued for a foul call after missing a shot, treating the practice game like a regular-season match.
Upcoming Olympic Challenge
The USA team is set to face tough opponents Serbia in the Olympic Group C preliminaries. Serbia’s roster includes MVP Nikola Jokic. When asked about the matchup, Embiid confidently stated, “I don’t care about Jokic, I only care about Team USA.”
Cooper Flagg Shines
Duke University forward Cooper Flagg stood out during the game, showcasing his skills against top stars with impressive shooting and driving abilities. Flagg is the first college player in a decade to be selected for the sparring team. “I am honored and excited; this is not something that happens often,” Flagg said. He is highly anticipated to be a top pick in next year’s NBA draft.
| Player | Team | Incident | Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | Hit by Embiid’s elbow | Collapsed, had to leave court |
| Joel Embiid | Team USA | Unintentional elbow | Checked on Podziemski, showed concern |
| Cooper Flagg | Duke University | Outstanding performance | Showcased skills, high draft prospects |
Conclusion
The practice game highlighted the competitive spirit and dedication of both the USA Olympic team and their sparring partners. Despite the unfortunate injury to Podziemski, the game demonstrated the high level of play and intensity expected as the teams prepare for the upcoming Olympics.(747Live)
