With Jimmer Fredette out, U.S. 3x3 team falls to Lithuania

With team leader Jimmer Fredette on the bench with a leg injury, the United States 3x3 men's basketball team remained winless in pool play, falling to 0-3 with a 20-18 loss to Lithuania on Thursday at the Paris Olympics.

Fredette, a former NBA first-round draft pick, suffered the injury with about three minutes left in the Americans' loss to Poland on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Fredette was visibly limping and walked slowly during player introductions Thursday.

The United States, which entered the Olympics with medal expectations, is in last place in the eight-team Pool A and will play later Thursday against Latvia and on Friday against France and China.

It isn't known whether Fredette will be able to play. Teammate Dylan Travis said the team was emotional when it learned Fredette's injury would keep him from playing against Lithuania.

"We all shed some tears," Travis said, per Yahoo Sports. "He has worked his whole career and came out of retirement to do this."

Without Fredette, the U.S. team consists of Travis, Canyon Barry and Kareem Maddox. And it could be just the three of them for however long the Americans stay alive in the competition.

"I think you've got to prepare like it's us three and hope for the best that he can come back," Travis said.

With the U.S. 3x3 squad, Fredette has won a slew of medals, including gold in the 2023 Pan American Games 3x3 and the 2022 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup.

Fredette was held to just four points in the U.S. loss to Serbia on Tuesday and three points against Poland.

In Thursday's loss to Lithuania, Barry -- the son of Hall of Fame member Rick Barry -- scored nine points. Maddox added five and Travis had four.

--Field Level Media