It had to end sooner or later for Team USA.
After 58 consecutive wins with NBA players in international competition, a diluted Team USA made an earlier-than-expected elimination from the FIBA World Cup following an 89-79 loss to France in the quarterfinals in China.
A strong surge by Team USA was followed by an even stronger close-out by the French, who will advance to the semifinals and play Argentina.
Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert led the way for the French with 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Evan Fournier tallied 22. The best Team USA can finish now is fifth in the consolation portion of the bracket.
For Team USA, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 29 points. The Celtics' Kemba Walker struggled all game, finishing with just 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting. His C's teammates Marcus Smart (11 points) and Jaylen Brown (nine points) each played 22 minutes while Boston' Jayson Tatum remained out with an ankle injury.
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Vincent Poirier of France, signed by the Celtics this offseason, did not play.
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