The Celtics have the most players out of any team across the NBA (along with the Lakers) on the preliminary team USA roster for the 2020 Olympics. USA Basketball released the full invite list on Monday which features Boston's best five players in Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart.
Tatum, Walker, Brown and Smart all played for Team USA’s FIBA World Cup squad this summer which failed to medal for the first time in nearly 20 years after a host of injuries hit the roster, including one to Tatum that sidelined him in the medal round. The heavy hitters (or many of them) will be back for Team USA this time around. Here's a look at the full 44-man roster initial roster.
USA Basketball announces 44 finalists for the 2020 Men's Summer Olympic Team that will play in Tokyo, Japan.
Kevin Love and Andre Drummond are included in the field and will try out for the final 12-man roster. pic.twitter.com/mzol2wHJap
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) February 10, 2020
According to the Celtics, Tatum, 21, averaged 29.8 points (3rd in Eastern Conference) on 50.0% shooting (53.8% 3-PT) to go along with 7.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.3 blocked shots in an undefeated four-game week at Atlanta (2/3), vs. Orlando (2/5), vs. Atlanta (2/7) and at Oklahoma City (2/9). He scored at least 25 points in all four contests, extending his current career streak of 20-point games to nine (Jan. 18 to present).
The third-year forward shot 21-for-39 from beyond the arc throughout the week as well, including a career-high seven 3-pointers (of 12) against the Hawks on Feb. 7. Tatum also reached the 30-point mark in back-to-back games against Orlando (33 points) and Atlanta (32 points), marking the first time in his NBA career he’s scored at least 30 points in consecutive games.
Tatum is the second Celtics player to earn Player of the Week honors this season, joining Jaylen Brown who has received two such awards in 2019-20. This has likely been Tatum's best stretch of his career after a groin injury, paving the way for a seven-game winning streak for Boston.
Tremont Waters named to G-League All-Star team
The second-round pick was named an Eastern Conference G-League All-Star on Monday in the midst of an MVP-level season for the G-League. Waters has earned Player of the Month for November honors and has twice been named G League Player of the Week. Through 26 games, he's averaging 19.5 points, 7.8 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.6 made three-pointers per contest, leading the Red Claws to a 23-9 record overall.
Jaylen Brown expected to play Tuesday night despite sore ankles
Brown and center Rob Williams are the only two Celtics that found themselves on the injury report on Tuesday against Houston with Brown getting the probable tag despite dealing with sprained ankles on both feet.
“I rolled my left one trying to compensate for the right one. I don’t know what side to limp on right now," Brown told reporters after Boston’s win over the Thunder.
With just two games left to the All-Star break against a pair of quality opponents in the Clippers and Rockets, Brown said he would push through the injury on Monday before getting a week of needed rest at the All-Star Break. The Celtics go for their eighth straight win in Houston on Tuesday night with Brown with a 9:30 p.m. ET start on TNT.