The United States' players must be prepared to take their moment when it comes as they go for Olympic gold, so says Stephen Curry.
A star-studded USA side have won all their games in Paris so far, but now the pressure is on in the knockout stage.
Brazil are their quarter-final opponents on Tuesday, and while Curry is confident the USA's attack is good enough to beat any team, he knows each player has to be 100% ready for clutch moments.
"That's how we can overwhelm teams," he said.
"It's just everybody has to be ready for your moment whenever it is."
For coach Steve Kerr, meanwhile, it is a case of the USA sticking to an identity and gameplan.
"It's important to focus on keeping that identity now that you're playing the best teams," Kerr said.
"We know what wins a FIBA game.
"We are just completely focused on our defense and then the beauty of our team and the talent, the depth of our talent is that from one game to the next, we've got lots of guys who have the ability to get rolling."
Julien Alfred’s UK visit sparks global interest in St Lucia as a top destination
Olympic 100m gold medalist Julien Alfred has made an impressive debut as Saint Lucia’s Tourism Ambassador, with her recent visit to the United Kingdom and the World Travel Market in early November highlighting the island’s charm to a global audience.
The St Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), in an exclusive with Sportsmax.TV, has highlighted the early indicators of Alfred’s positive influence on the island’s visibility in key markets like the UK. Building on the global buzz generated by her Olympic triumph—which saw Saint Lucia become the second most searched country on Google following her victory—the SLTA strategically leveraged Alfred’s visit to boost awareness of the Caribbean island’s offerings.
During her UK visit, Alfred engaged with media and travel industry stakeholders, elevating the island’s profile. The impact was immediate, with the SLTA reporting engagement figures that reached over 22 million people across platforms like Sky, the BBC, and national newspapers, as well as with travel journalists. While it’s too early to analyze visitor arrival data, the SLTA views these numbers as a credible indicator of Alfred’s influence.
"Julien’s endorsement has significantly enhanced our winter marketing drive in the UK, a critical period as travelers seek sunny destinations," a SLTA representative noted. "Her role as a proud St Lucian resonates with audiences and helps position our island as a must-visit destination."
Alfred’s promotional efforts complement a year-round push to highlight St Lucia’s vibrant tourism offerings. From hosting ICC World Cup Cricket matches to the Jazz & Arts Festival and the Lucian Carnival, the island’s appeal has been steadily growing. Her ambassadorial efforts, aligned with these initiatives, are expected to create a sustained boost in inquiries and interest.
The SLTA emphasized that Alfred’s involvement raises the bar for its UK outreach efforts, which typically see heightened activity during the winter sun travel season.
Looking ahead, the SLTA is optimistic about the long-term benefits of Alfred’s ambassadorship. The partnership includes a year-long program supported by PUMA, with plans for further brand projects and promotional visits. Balancing her athletics training and competition commitments remains a priority, ensuring Alfred can continue excelling in her sport while representing her homeland.
"Julien is a proud St Lucian, and her global success inspires pride across the island," the SLTA stated. "Her role as Tourism Ambassador has already demonstrated the potential to elevate St Lucia in our key markets, and we are confident this partnership will continue to thrive."
As Saint Lucia gears up for the peak tourism season, the island’s collaboration with its golden girl signals a bright future for both its tourism industry and its global brand appeal.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram reportedly out indefinitely with left ankle sprain
The New Orleans Pelicans have been dealt with another injury, as Brandon Ingram is side-lined indefinitely with a sprained left ankle.
Ingram landed awkwardly on the foot of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort early in the third quarter of Saturday's 119-109 loss and did not return.
It was reported Sunday by ESPN's Shams Charania that Ingram sustained a significant low left ankle sprain and will be side-lined indefinitely.
Ingram had just returned Thursday after missing New Orleans' previous five games due to tendonitis in his right foot, and finished with a game-high 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting in 37 minutes in a 126-124 win over the Phoenix Suns.
The eight-year veteran leads the Pelicans (5-19) in scoring with an average of 22.2 points per game, while also averaging 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Ingram's ankle sprain is the latest setback for a New Orleans team that has been ravaged by injuries.
Zion Williamson has appeared in just six of the team's 24 games - missing a majority of those contests with tightness to both hamstrings - while Jose Alvarado has missed the last 13 games due to a hamstring injury and Jordan Hawkins has missed 13 of the last 17 games because of an injured back.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram reportedly out indefinitely
The New Orleans Pelicans have been dealt with another injury, as Brandon Ingram is side-lined indefinitely with a sprained left ankle.
Ingram landed awkwardly on the foot of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort early in the third quarter of Saturday's 119-109 loss and did not return.
It was reported Sunday by ESPN's Shams Charania that Ingram sustained a significant low left ankle sprain and will be side-lined indefinitely.
Ingram had just returned Thursday after missing New Orleans' previous five games due to tendonitis in his right foot, and finished with a game-high 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting in 37 minutes in a 126-124 win over the Phoenix Suns.
The eight-year veteran leads the Pelicans (5-19) in scoring with an average of 22.2 points per game, while also averaging 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists.
Ingram's ankle sprain is the latest setback for a New Orleans team that has been ravaged by injuries.
Zion Williamson has appeared in just six of the team's 24 games - missing a majority of those contests with tightness to both hamstrings - while Jose Alvarado has missed the last 13 games due to a hamstring injury and Jordan Hawkins has missed 13 of the last 17 games because of an injured back.
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