Kemba Walker imposes his will against Brazil, USA qualifies for Olympics

Kemba Walker
Photo credit Getty Images

Kemba Walker continues to be Team USA’s most reliable player on the offensive end at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

In Monday’s second-round game against Brazil, it felt like Walker could do anything he wanted from start to finish. He got to the basket easily, scoring 16 points on 6 of 9 shooting. He shot 50% from three (2-for-4). And Walker finished with five assists, logging four by halftime before Team USA demoralized Brazil, en route to an 89-73 win.

With the victory, the U.S. qualified for the 2020 Olympics.

Jaylen Brown had one of his better all-around games of the tournament. He made some highlight plays, but also used some discretion to make the simple ones when he could. Brown scored 11 on 5 of 9 shooting (1-for-2 from three) and had four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

-- @FCHWPO is a BAAAAAAAD man!#USABRA #USAGotGame-- https://t.co/U6RPjx3FuZ@USABasketball pic.twitter.com/S1kBsdlrTG

— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 9, 2019

We talkin’ handshakes? @FCHWPO is your guy!#USAGotGame #USABRA-- https://t.co/U6RPjx3FuZ@USABasketball pic.twitter.com/1gNKbisVfT

— Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) September 9, 2019

Marcus Smart played with reckless abandon — not exactly a shocker. He drained a contested, off-balance buzzer-beater from deep at the end of the third and there were a few loose balls he went all out for. Oddly enough, the play where he seemed to tweak his ankle looked like a fairly simple sequence. Smart didn’t need help getting off the court and was walking around afterward.

Marcus Smart with the TOUGH buzzer beater -- pic.twitter.com/mw31erlvUM

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 9, 2019

Great help-side block by Marcus Smart, leads to Team USA lay-up. pic.twitter.com/OlsGfdxAT5

— A. Sherrod Blakely (@ASherrodblakely) September 9, 2019

Jayson Tatum (ankle) missed his third-straight game.

Team USA plays Celtics big man Vincent Poirier and the rest of France's national team in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Poirier definitely flies. pic.twitter.com/7J2AVOHBmf

— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) September 8, 2019