Steve Kerr's Team USA rotation decisions have been the talk of the town to begin the 2024 Paris Olympics. But Kerr's hands might be forced on Saturday, with Jrue Holiday's status for their clash against Puerto Rico to end group stage proceedings currently up in the air after he sustained an ankle injury late in their 103-86 win over South Sudan. Holiday, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic, is currently listed as questionable on the injury report.
Kerr was already set to make a change to Team USA's starting lineup. Joel Embiid is set to return to the starting lineup after playing zero minutes against South Sudan, and now, with there being uncertainty surrounding Holiday's playing status for Saturday, it will be interesting to monitor who could possibly start in the Boston Celtics guard's place.
Against South Sudan, Team USA started Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis in Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid's place, respectively. But Kerr has the luxury to play around with his rotation even though he made it clear that nabbing the number one overall seed for the quarterfinals is a main goal of theirs.
Jrue Holiday and Team USA are on cruise control
Given how dominant Team USA has looked through their first two games of the 2024 Paris Olympics, it is very likely that they hold Jrue Holiday out of their final group stage game against Puerto Rico for precautionary reasons. They have no reason to force Holiday to play anyway, since they have replacements on the roster who are more than capable of filling in well for the Celtics guard.
Team USA could opt to start Derrick White, another member of the Celtics backcourt, in Holiday's stead. For all of the hullabaloo surrounding White's inclusion in this stacked roster, he has been everything the team has needed and more out of an elite-level role player. He is always in the passing lanes, he is very selective with the shots that he takes, and he just goes about his business in a workmanlike manner.
Perhaps Team USA could also give Jayson Tatum another start. Tatum did not play very well in his limited minutes against South Sudan, and with Puerto Rico looking like the weakest team in Group C, this could be a perfect opportunity for him to get his rhythm back.
With Jose Alvarado leading the way for Puerto Rico, however, Team USA may end up starting White for his outstanding point of attack defense against opposing guards.
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