In a highly anticipated start to the men's 5x5 basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jayson Tatum, the star player for the Boston Celtics, was notably absent from Team USA's resounding 110-84 triumph over Serbia on Sunday in Group C.

Despite Tatum's recent NBA title win in June and his consecutive All-NBA selections in 2023 and 2024, U.S. coach Steve Kerr made the decision to rest the talented forward for the opener. Explaining his choice, Kerr expressed the difficulty of managing a deep roster in a limited 40-minute game. Additionally, with the return of Kevin Durant, Kerr aimed to utilize the player combinations that he believed would provide the team with the best chance of success.

Acknowledging the significance of Tatum's skills, Kerr emphasized his outstanding performance and status as one of the world's top players. He praised Tatum's professionalism and affirmed that this decision did not reflect his role for the rest of the tournament. Kerr's primary objective, as he communicated to his players, was to prioritize team success over individual accolades. Tatum, being the consummate professional and champion, graciously accepted the decision and is poised to make his impact felt in future games.

Tatum's absence was not the only notable one, as Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton also did not see any playing time in Team USA's victorious campaign. The impressive performance was led by the rejuvenated Kevin Durant, who tallied 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting. LeBron James also showcased his dominance, contributing 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds, supported by four other teammates who reached double figures in scoring.

With this strong start, the Stars and Stripes have made a commanding statement at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The decisive victory against Serbia, especially without the participation of Tatum and Haliburton, demonstrates the depth and talent of Team USA's basketball program.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Tatum and Team USA to see how they navigate their way through the six-game journey. While Tatum's absence in the opener raised eyebrows, it is clear that his focus lies on securing victory and adding to his already remarkable basketball accomplishments.