Donovan Mitchell did what he could to help Team USA avoid its first international loss in nearly 60 games, but it wasn’t enough and the U.S. fell to France 89-79 at the FIBA World Cup.
Mitchell, who plays for the Utah Jazz, pumped in 29 points for the U.S. during the first three quarters of the quarterfinal game in China but was shut out in the fourth as France assumed control of what had been a back-and-forth game.
Donovan Mitchell after 3 quarters: 29 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST!
(Via @FIBAWC) pic.twitter.com/R2qAsdALDK
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 11, 2019
Prior to today’s game, the U.S. had won 58 consecutive international tournament games in FIBA and Olympic competition dating back to 2006. Had the U.S. been able to win the tournament, it would have been the first country win three consecutive World Cups.
Thanks to the loss, the Americans — who already clinched a berth in the upcoming 2020 Olympics — will not medal at the World Cup and can only finish as high as fifth.
For the French, Evan Fournier of the Magic scored 22 points and Rudy Gobert of the Jazz added 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Rudy Gobert was the best player in that game.
He had 21 and 16 boards
France was +26 in his 34 minutes on the court
Oh, and he did this to his Jazz teammate in a huge moment
Congrats France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/7EKR58ca3B
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) September 11, 2019
“We came here to win gold,” Gobert said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. A lot of people counted us out, but we got the win. It doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win in the end.”
It’s a bad day for the Americans but a pretty decent one for the Utah Jazz.
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