LAS VEGAS — The U.S. men’s basketball team held its first practice Friday, and there was a quick reminder of the rocky run-up to the London Olympics.
Chris Paul was forced to leave to get an X-ray after hurting his thumb. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo called it a tweak of a previous injury, and the hope is Paul can practice Saturday.
That would be some rare good news for a team has been severely weakened by injuries. Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all were forced to pull out, leaving the Americans with 15 players vying for 12 slots. The roster will be announced Saturday night.
LeBron James didn’t scrimmage so he could get some extra rest, two weeks after the NBA Finals. Deron Williams sat out because he still can’t sign his $98 million extension with the Nets, and top draft pick Anthony Davis remained sidelined because of a sprained ankle. That allowed the Americans extra looks at players on the bubble, such as Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, James Harden and Andre Iguodala.
Russia, Nigeria advance
Russia beat Angola 80-65 and Nigeria edged Greece 80-79 to reach the semifinals of a men’s basketball qualifying tournament.
The Dominican Republic will play Lithuania in the other semifinal. The semifinal winners advance to London while the losers will play Sunday for the final slot.
Canadian sets mark
Ian Millar will appear in a record 10th Olympiad when the 65-year-old equestrian enters the show-jumping ring. Millar will surpass Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschl, a nine-time Olympian from 1964 to 1996.
The Associated Press
