Why didn't Jayson Tatum play vs. Serbia? Team USA coach explains DNP decision

VILLENEUVE-D'ASCQ, France – Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is coming off an NBA title in June and another All-NBA selection in 2023-24.

Yet Tatum didn’t play in the USA’s 110-84 victory against Serbia Sunday in the men’s 5x5 basketball Group C opener for both teams at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

U.S. coach Steve Kerr explained his decision and talked to Tatum about it.

“It's really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys, and with Kevin (Durant) coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt would make the most sense,” Kerr said. “It seems crazy. I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I want to get to. Jayson's first-team All-NBA three years in a row, he's one of the best players in the world.

“He's incredibly professional, and that's tonight. That doesn't mean it's going to stay that way the rest of the tournament, so he'll make his mark. But the key, and our guys know this, is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games, and Jayson's the ultimate pro and champion and he handled it well and he's going to be ready for the next one.”

Tatum wasn't the only DNP on sheet: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton also didn't log a minute in the effort.

Behind a resurgent Kevin Durant (23 points, 8-of-9 shooting), a dominant LeBron James (21 points, nine assists, seven rebounds) and four others in double-figure points, the Stars and Stripes downed Nikola Jokic and Serbia in their 2024 Olympic debut.

Team USA tips off against South Sudan in group play on Wednesday, July 31 at 3 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steve Kerr explains not playing Jasyon Tatum in USA win vs. Serbia