TOKYO — The United States men’s basketball team lost its Olympic opener here on Sunday, dropping a back-and-forth contest to a very good France team, 83-76.
The loss doesn’t eliminate the Americans from gold medal contention. This is just group play and the U.S. should be able to advance to the knockout rounds that begin later in these Olympics.
However, it is the latest alarm that this team, which has dealt with roster turnover and late arriving players, is in for a considerable challenge in its effort to win the United States its 16 gold medal in 19 Olympics.