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In addition to Jayson Tatum missing at least the next two games with an ankle sprain, Team USA will be without one of its most vocal leaders in Marcus Smart in this morning’s bout against Japan due to a quad strain.
Marcus Smart is out for Team USA with a left quad strain vs. Japan. He will be day-to-day. Missed time with calf strain on same leg last month.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) September 5, 2019
This quad strain occurring on the same leg as his previous calf strain that kept him out of a week of training camp activities in Las Vegas is mildly concerning. Team USA begins elimination games next week after the group stage, so the hope is that Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart can get and stay healthy over the weekend.
After escaping with a one-point overtime win against Turkey on Tuesday, Team USA is taking on Rui Hachimura Japan this morning. You can stream it on ESPN+.