Team USA’s Austin Reaves reacts after the Americans lose their semifinals match to Germany. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Dennis Schroder haunted his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Austin Reaves after helping Germany make its first-ever Fiba World Cup final through a 113-111 stunner on Team USA on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Reaves and Anthony Edwards powered Team USA’s torrid run in the fourth quarter to try and overcome the undefeated Germans.
But Schroder nailed the dagger with a stepback jumper against Reaves to give Germany a 113-107 lead with 40 seconds left en route to their maiden gold medal match.
Reaves couldn’t hide his disappointment after the loss but he was happy for Schroder, whom he played with in the Lakers last NBA season in their Western Conference Finals run.
“Tip your hat [to Germany]. [I’m] very happy for Dennis,” he told reporters. “Like I said a million times, I got a lot of love for him and his family, and I know how special this moment is for him.”
Germany’s Dennis Schroder and Team USA’s Austin Reaves. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Schroder delivered 17 points and nine assists in the semifinal and spoiled the best World Cup outing of Reaves, who dropped 21 points on 3-of-5 three-point shooting only for Team USA to miss the gold medal match for the second straight time.
“Anytime you see one of your brothers succeed, I know how much he cherishes stuff like this. Anytime you see your brother be successful, you’re happy for him,” Reaves said. “It’s a tough result because I’m a competitor. Tip your hat to him. I know how special this moment is for him.”
The crowd-favorite American guard, though, couldn’t shake off the disappointment of Team USA missing another trip to the Final, losing in front of cheering Filipino crowd and Team USA legends Carmelo Anthony and women’s basketball icon Sue Bird.
All love between former teammates Dennis Schroder and Austin Reaves after their #FIBAWC matchup ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dSof1KMOs5
— NBA (@NBA) September 8, 2023
“Anytime you lose, at least for me, I can probably speak for every guy in the locker room as well and the coaching staff, anytime you lose, it sucks,” Reaves said. “As a competitor, losing is literally the worst thing possibly that could happen. It’s a way worse feeling than winning is a good feeling.”
Team USA tries to end its campaign in Manila with a bronze medal against Canada, which lost to Serbia in the other semifinal match.
The US and Canada clash on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
