Nigeria shocks USA in pre-Olympic opener

Gabe Nnamdi, who goes by Gabe Vincent when playing for the Miami Heat, led Nigeria with 21 points.

Kevin Durant, who had never before played in a loss for USA Basketball in 39 senior international games, had 17 points.

The Americans had gone 39-0 in their last three Olympic seasons — including pre-Olympic exhibitions — on their way to gold medals and had been 54-2 in major exhibitions since NBA players began playing for USA Basketball in 1992.

Ike Iroegbu — a former Washington State player who some time in the G League — hit a 3-pointer with about 1:15 left to put Nigeria up 88-80.

It’s only an exhibition — but the upset was still of the massive variety, the 22nd-ranked nation by FIBA beating the No.

There was an injury scare for the Americans late in the second quarter, when LaVine got hurt on a play where he was closing out against Nnamdi.

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