Anthony Edwards’ 35-point effort ties Carmelo Anthony’s record for 2nd-most points scored in a USAB Men’s World Cup game.

Team USA closed out the Group Phase of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Sunday with a loss, their first of the tournament, falling 110-104 to Lithuania in Manila.

Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 35 points, but it was not enough to make up for yet another slow start for the Americans along with an onslaught of 3-point shots, offensive rebounds and second-chance points for Lithuania, who beats the United States for the first time in the World Cup since 1988.

Here are five key takeaways from Sunday’s game and what it means moving forward in the tournament.

1. Despite loss, USA qualifies for Olympics

Both the United States and Lithuania entered the game having already secured a spot in the Final Phase, so the only thing one the line Sunday was a first or second place finish in Group J, which determines their matchup against Group I in the quarterfinals.

With their loss Sunday, USA finishes second in Group J and will take on Italy (Group I winner) on Tuesday.

Lithuania finishes first in Group J and will face Serbia, who finished second in Group I.

Along with competing for the world title, the World Cup also serves as an Olympic qualifier. With Serbia’s win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday, the United States is guaranteed a top-two finish among teams from the Americas and secures its bid for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The goal is still in play. We respond on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

🇺🇸 #USABMNT #WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/8aNzxHQOdb

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 3, 2023

2. Rebounding woes in defeat

Lack of size came into play for the second straight game as Lithuania crushed the United States on the boards and exploited size mismatches throughout the game. Lithuania finished the game with a 43-27 edge in total rebounds, doubled up the Americans 18-9 on offensive rebounds, and took advantage of their extra opportunities by outscoring the US 17-2 in second-chance points.

Team USA is already playing with a size disadvantage based on roster construction against a big Lithuania squad that features six players standing 6-foot-9 or taller. To make matters worse, starting center Jaren Jackson Jr. picked up two fouls in the first three minutes of the game and went to the bench for the rest of the first quarter.

Lithuania took advantage of his absence with post-ups, putbacks and kick outs to wide open shooters when the Americans were forced to double team. Austin Reaves got played off the court as Lithuania constantly hunted him on defense, posting up him for layups and 3-point plays.

Jackson Jr. played just 15 minutes before ultimately fouling out in the fourth quarter with three points, three assists, one rebound and zero blocks. After going without a rebound in 20 minutes against Montenegro, Jackson Jr. has just one board in his last 36 minutes on court.

3. A slow start & Lithuania 3-point barrage 

Slow starts have plagued this US squad throughout its exhibition tour and the Group Phase of the World Cup. For the first time in the 10 games they have played together, the Americans were not able to rally back for the win this time around.

Lithuania jumped out to a 31-12 lead after the first quarter where they went a perfect 6-for-6 from 3-point range, had eight assists on their 12 made baskets as well as seven offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes of play.

Lithuania’s hot 3-point shooting would carry over to the second quarter as they made their next three to open the game 9-for-9 from long range. They did not miss a 3-pointer until 4:05 left in the first half. While the Americans won the second quarter 25-23, they weren’t able to make up much ground after digging themselves a huge hole in the first quarter.

The third quarter was a different story as the Americans opened the second half on a 15-2 run to cut the Lithuania lead to four. Team USA had a chance to cut it to a single point, but Jackson Jr. missed an open 3-pointer after making one from nearly the exact same spot just three minutes prior. Lithuania then put up a 6-0 run to push the lead back to double-digits.

Mikal making moves.

13-2 run to start the half & it’s a 6-point game.

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🇺🇸 #USABMNT #WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/bX1laiV5DD

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 3, 2023

4. Edwards’ 35-point effort not enough

Edwards did everything he could to keep the United States within striking distance throughout the game. He posted 35 points – three shy of Kevin Durant’s Team USA World Cup record (38 points), which he scored against Lithuania in the 2010 World Cup.

Anthony Edwards 35 points vs Lithuania ties Carmelo Anthony in 2006 for the second-most points ever scored in a 🇺🇸 #USABMNT World Cup game. pic.twitter.com/bKBE82Q5ty

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 3, 2023

Edwards – the only US player to score in double figures in all five World Cup games – was joined by Jalen Brunson (14), Mikal Bridges (14) and Brandon Ingram (10) on Sunday. Edwards also led Team USA with three steals as he hounded Lithuania’s guards on the perimeter and forced deflections and turnovers.

With just under four minutes left in the fourth quarter and the US trailing by six points, Lithuania inbounded the ball from the baseline with 3.5 seconds left on the shot clock. Mindaugas Kuzminskas got the ball on the left wing and Edwards stripped the ball away, Kuzminskas recovered the ball and rose up for a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to push the lead back to nine points. It was a demoralizing possession for United States team trying to pull off a late rally, where they did everything right, but still got beat by a 3-pointer.

After Lithuania pushed their lead back to 12 with until three minutes to play, Edwards led another USA charge. He knocked down a pull-up 3-pointer from the top of the key to give him 28 points and cut the lead back to nine. He then stoles the inbounds pass and rose up for another three that missed.

Over the final 2:06 of the game, Edwards made two free throws, had a two-handed dunk in the lane, assisted on a Banchero layup, and hit a step-back 3-pointer, but it was not enough.

Team USA continued to fight until the final buzzer. After a pair of free throws by Brunson cut the Lithuania lead to four (108-104) with 16 seconds remaining, the US continued its full-court press to try to create a turnover. Banchero intercepted the inbounds pass at half court, he passed ahead to Josh Hart, who dropped it to Bridges for an open corner 3 that would have cut the lead to one point. But the shot missed, Lithuania secured the long rebounds and threw down a transition dunk to seal the game.

5. USA loses bench battle for first time

Austin Reaves (left) and Tyrese Haliburton combined for just 10 points in Sunday’s loss to Lithuania.

Team USA’s depth has been one of its biggest strengths throughout this tournament. Led by Tyrese Haliburton and Austin Reaves, the second unit for the Americans has dominated other opposing reserves and either helped the US overcome a slow start or build on a lead to take control of the game.

Entering Sunday’s game, the reserves had outscored their opposing benches by a total of 96 points. But on Sunday, it was Lithuania that avoided a drop-off when their starters went to rest as they outscored the Americans 61-38 in bench points with four players reaching double-figure points.

• USA vs. New Zealand: 54-23 (plus-31)
• USA vs. Greece: 60-45 (plus-15)
• USA vs. Jordan: 55-18 (plus-37)
• USA vs. Montenegro: 39-26 (plus-13)
• USA vs. Lithuania: 38-61 (minus-23)

The Lithuanian starting unit was anchored by New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, who finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and four fouls in just 19 minutes. Entering the game, it would have been hard to imagine Lithuania finding success against the US without a big game from Valanciunas. But with their advantages in size and execution, Lithuania was able to prevail for one of its biggest wins in team history.