Team USA vs Italy score, results: Mikal Bridges shines as Americans cruise to FIBA World Cup semifinals
(United) Statement made.
After closing group play with a disappointing loss, Team USA bounced back with a 100-63 victory over Italy to advance to the semifinals at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Mikal Bridges led the way with 24 points (on 8-of-11 shooting) and Tyrese Haliburton wasn’t far behind with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from 3-point range.
Team USA will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 8 at 8:30 a.m. when it faces the winner of Wednesday’s game between Latvia and Germany (4:45 a.m. ET).
The Sporting News tracked updates from throughout Team USA’s dominant win to move one step closer to its goal. You can catch a replay of the action on Courtside 1891.
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Team USA vs Italy score
1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final | |
USA | 24 | 22 | 37 | 17 | 100 |
Italy | 14 | 10 | 20 | 19 | 63 |
Team USA vs Italy updates, highlights
(All times Eastern)
Final: USA 100, Italy 63
10:20 a.m. — It’s a wrap in Manila. Team USA will advance to the semifinals after dominating for the majority of the game.
The Americans’ win was a balanced effort as Mikal Bridges (24), Tyrese Haliburton (18) and Austin Reaves (12) scored in double figures. Team USA, which shot well all game, assisted on 22 of its 36 field goals.
Up next for Team USA is the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal game between Germany and Latvia.
10:10 a.m. — Tyrese Haliburton is on fire.
Haliburton’s got 18 points in the game courtesy of his 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. As a team, the Americans are shooting 17 of 34 (50.0 percent) from deep. It’s a 39-point lead with 5:25 left.
USA 92, Italy 53.
10:06 a.m. — Insult to injury for Italy.
Still trailing by over 30 points, Italy’s top player, Simone Fontecchio, has fouled out. He finishes the game with 18 points and five rebounds.
USA 83, Italy 49.
End of third quarter: USA 83, Italy 44
10 a.m. — A steal from Tyrese Haliburton results in a flashy between-the-legs lob that leads to a Paolo Banchero finish and strut.
“How will USA respond?”
USA: #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/vAIgUzBzxp
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) September 5, 2023
Team USA takes a massive 39-point lead into the final frame. The fourth quarter will be window dressing as this American team is going to advance to the semifinals.
9:54 a.m. — Brandon Ingram is whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul after a dunk attempt over Nicolo Melli results in an errant strike to Melli’s face.
Italy gets three free throws on the ensuing possession and Team USA leads by 34 with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
USA 73, Italy 39.
9:48 a.m. — Team USA continues to dominate and Italy calls for a timeout as it now faces a 32-point deficit with 4:42 remaining in the third.
Italy has been held to an ice-cold 13 of 48 (27.1 percent) from the field. As good as Team USA has been offensively, Mikal Bridges is the only scorer in double figures, as his 24 points lead all scorers.
USA 68, Italy 36.
9:44 a.m. — It’s been the Mikal Bridges game.
Bridges leads all scorers with 22 points after draining two free throws. And Team USA’s lead is now 29 points early in the second half. Bridges is shooting 7 of 9 from the field, including 4 of 5 from deep.
USA 60, Italy 31.
Halftime: USA 46, Italy 24
9:23 a.m. — After a commanding first-half performance, Team USA heads into the break with a 22-point lead.
Team USA’s defensive effort must be lauded as it has held Italy to 26 first-half points on 9-of-37 (24.3 percent) shooting. The United States’ offense has been humming, with Mikal Bridges leading the way.
Bridges is up to a game-high 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field to go along with six rebounds. It’s been an otherwise balanced attack for Team USA, which has enjoyed seven points from Jalen Brunson and six points from Tyrese Haliburton.
Considering leading scorer Anthony Edwards was held scoreless in the first half, things couldn’t have gone much better for Team USA.
9:19 a.m. — Austin Reaves, hello!
LA’s rising star rises up for a put-back dunk and extends the lead to 24 points with under a minute remaining.
Austin Reaves being casually hostile to the rims ????#FIBAWC x #WinForItalia ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZIRmxqXHGr
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) September 5, 2023
USA 46, Italy 22.
9:14 a.m. — It’s now a 20-point lead for the Americans.
A 3 from Mikal Bridges brings his total to 11 points and extends Team USA’s advantage. And on the next possession, a dunk from Paolo Banchero creates even more distance.
USA 38, Italy 18.
9:09 a.m. — Team USA is still in command.
An and-one finish from Mikal Bridges puts the Americans up by 12 and the free throw grows the lead to 13 halfway through the quarter.
USA 31, Italy 18.
End of first quarter: USA 24, Italy 14
9 a.m. — One quarter is in the books and Team USA has a double-digit lead.
It’s been a balanced effort from the Americans, who are led by five points from Jalen Brunson. After having its fair share of rebounding woes, Team USA is currently winning the rebounding battle, 16-10.
8:56 a.m. — It’s a great start for Team USA, which extends its lead to nine points thanks to a 3 from Austin Reaves.
Timeout Italy with 2:04 left in the first quarter.
Jalen Brunson leads the Americans with five points and the team is shooting 4 of 8 (50.0 percent) from 3-point range early on.
USA 20, Italy 11.
8:49 a.m. — Team USA’s effort cannot be understated in this one. From offensive rebounding to 50-50 balls, it’s clear this group has taken recent letdowns to heart.
As a result, the Americans have a small lead with 4:20 remaining in the first.
USA 10, Italy 8.
8:45 a.m. — Jaren Jackson Jr. is in foul trouble, again.
The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year heads to the bench after picking up his second foul in under three minutes. He’ll sit while Paolo Banchero comes in as his substitution.
8:42 a.m. — Team USA gets two offensive rebounds on its first possession and Jalen Brunson gets the Americans on the board first.
Game on in Manila.
Pregame
8:35 a.m. — New game, same starters for Team USA: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Jaren Jackson make up the first five.
For Italy, Marco Spissu, Stefano Tonut, Simone Fontecchio, Nicolo Melli and Achille Polonara will start.
8:20 a.m. — Game time is nearing and Team USA is looking to bounce back from a tough loss.
Italy provides another unique challenge for the Americans, but veteran Bobby Portis thinks the key to victory is “playing our brand of basketball.” They’ll look to make their impact felt from the jump.
7:30 a.m. — Team USA has arrived at the Mall of Asia Arena for the quarterfinals. The goal? “Just to play hard for 40 minutes,” per head coach Steve Kerr.
Where to watch Team USA vs Italy
- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 5
- Time: 8:40 a.m. ET | 5:40 a.m. PT
- TV channel: ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+ | Courtside 1891 | Sling TV
Team USA vs Italy 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.
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MORE: Paolo Banchero’s FIBA World Cup performance is showing his path towards an All-Star season
Team USA schedule at 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup
The United States (4-1) finished second behind Lithuania (5-0) in Group J of the Second Round Group Stage. It will take on Italy in the first round of the Knockout Stage, where the winner will advance to play the winner of Germany vs Latvia.
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 | L, 110-104 | ESPN2 |
Tuesday, Sept. 5 | vs Italy | W, 100-63 | ESPN2 |
Friday, Sept. 8 | vs Germany/Latvia | 8:30 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 |