Jayson Tatum among USA lineup changes vs. South Sudan after benching [Video]

Jayson Tatum was back on the floor for USA Basketball on Wednesday afternoon with a promotion to the starting five for the team’s matchup against South Sudan. Tatum was one of two Americans on the roster who received a DNP-CD during USA’s win over Serbia on Sunday. However, Steve Kerr emphasized one day after that victory that Tatum’s stunning benching would not last long.

“Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr told reporters in Paris. “I’m not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn’t. But we’re going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens.”

Tatum’s promotion was one of two changes that Kerr made in the starting five against an athletic South Sudan squad. Anthony Davis started over Joel Embiid at center while Tatum got the nod over Jrue Holiday, putting him alongside LeBron James, …