Team USA have suffered a major blow ahead of their quest for Gold at the Tokyo Olympics, with star guard Bradley Beal setย to miss the games after being forced into the USA's health and safety protocols due to a potential exposure to COVID-19.
Depending on exposure and all relevant factors such as testing, etc, there isn't any clear indication at this time as to how long Beal will need to be in the protocols, but USA won't be taking any chances and are actively searching for a replacement just a week out from the start of the games.
Fellow American Jerami Grant could also miss the Olympics after he was also forced into the health and safety protocols.
Despite still registering some of the best players in the world on its roster, it's a bitter blow for the Americans, who will lose some scoring and defensive punch on the floor respectively.
They are set to gain Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker once their NBA Finals campaigns are over which will certainly provide a massive boost to the lineup, but will still need to replace Beal and now, potentially Grant.
The Americans have struggled a touch in their recent exhibition games, losing to Nigeria and Australia before getting back on track against Argentina with a blowout win and will be looking to build on that as they set out to win their fourth gold medal in a row.
USA were set to face Australia in a last exhibition match this weekend in Las Vegas as a last run out ahead of the Olympics, but with the Beal and Grant situations and both countries not wanting to take any chances before the start of the tournament, that game looks set to be postponed.
USA begin their Olympic campaign against the talented France on Sunday July 25.
