Jayson Tatum, a key player for the Boston Celtics, unexpectedly did not play during Team USA’s 95-91 semifinal victory over Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics, sparking widespread surprise and concern.
Despite a tense match where Nikola Jokić and Team Serbia led by double digits heading into the fourth quarter, Tatum remained on the bench, never shedding his warmup gear. Head coach Steve Kerr’s decision not to utilize Tatum, especially as Team USA struggled, drew significant attention.
This benching did not go unnoticed by Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, who voiced her frustration publicly. In response to a social media post by basketball legend Dick Vitale questioning if Tatum was injured, Brandy clarified that her son was not hurt, but she was baffled by the coach’s decision, calling it “unacceptable” and nonsensical.
This isn’t the first time Tatum has been sidelined during these Olympics; he also didn’t play in the quarterfinal against South Sudan. Despite a tough game against Brazil earlier in the tournament, where Tatum’s performance was below his usual standard, Kerr’s continued benching of him remains puzzling. As Team USA heads into the gold medal match against France, Tatum’s role in the final game of the Olympics is uncertain, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning Kerr’s strategy.
