Much has been said about Jayson Tatum’s Team USA benching at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it was Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton who averaged the fewest minutes and appeared in the fewest games for the Americans in the City of Light.
Unlike Tatum, though, it was widely expected that Haliburton would have a minimal role on the team. That being said, even that conservative expectation did not come to fruition because of the arrival of another guard in the form of Derrick White, who was Team USA’s replacement for Kawhi Leonard.
Via Joe Vardon of The Athletic:
Haliburton came into the Olympic run aware that his role would be reduced from what it was in 2023, when he set a U.S. record for assists at a World Cup, but Haliburton’s playing time nose-dived once White joined the team.
White played in five games in Paris and averaged 3.8 points and 1.6 assists in 15.8 minutes, while Haliburton put up just 2.7 points and 0.7 assists in 8.8 minutes through three games.
During the 2023 World Cup in Manila, Haliburton enjoyed a robust playing time, enjoying 21.5 minutes per contest and averaging 8.6 points and 5.6 assists per contest.
Nevertheless, Haliburton got the gold in Paris, which is what the real goal is for Team USA.
He can still get lots of playing time in the NBA, as the starting point guard of the Pacers, who reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
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