Steve Kerr Reveals Reason for Benching Jayson Tatum in USA-Serbia

Golden State Warriors and Team USA head coach Steve Kerr spoke on the Jayson Tatum situation

Aug 8, 2024; Paris, France; United States head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the first half against Serbia in a men's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. | Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum received his second DNP of the 2024 Paris Olympics in Thursday's semifinals game against Serbia. Team USA and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr inserted Tatum into the starting lineup after his first DNP, but went back to a rotation that did not include the 2024 NBA champion.

Speaking with reporters (per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe), Kerr revealed his reason for benching Tatum, saying it was simply a math problem.

“It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson; it’s what I’ve seen from the other guys... It’s just hard to play 11 people, even in an NBA game... It's a math problem more than anything," Kerr said.

Both Tatum and Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton received zero minutes.

For the second time in France, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not play against Serbia. pic.twitter.com/hwf5MrOEXc

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 8, 2024

While Kerr used 10 total players in this game, Celtics guard Derrick White played just seven minutes, so it was not even a full 10-man rotation for this semifinals matchup. While Team USA's bench struggled in this game, Kerr said that group has been one of their bright spots.

“Our second unit was not great last night, but that group has been one of the bright spots on this team, especially on the defensive end," Kerr added, per Himmelsbach. "So it’s not about what Jayson is doing or not doing. It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin [Durant] has filled in since he came back from his injury. It’s just a math problem more than anything.”

United States small forward Jayson Tatum (10), guard Devin Booker (15), guard Stephen Curry (4) and guard Anthony Edwards (5) look on from the bench during the first half against Serbia in a men's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. | Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

It will be interesting to see what Kerr does for the gold medal game against France.

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