Team USA vs. New Zealand score, takeaways: Paolo Banchero helps lead America to win in FIBA World Cup opener

Team USA began its quest for a gold medal against New Zealand

While it might not have gone as easily as many would have expected, Team USA notched its first victory at the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a 99-72 victory over New Zealand as Paolo Banchero helped lead the way with 21 points and four rebounds for the Americans. Even though Banchero was the one who helped Team USA put this game away, he had plenty of help as Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton finished right behind him on the box score in terms of points scored. 

With the win, Team USA should be in the driver's seat in terms of where they stand in their particular group as notching this first victory was a big first step toward their march to a gold medal. The Americans will be in action again on Monday morning when they face off against Greece at 8:40 a.m. from the Philippines. 

Here are a pair of takeaways from the Team USA win. 

1. Team USA's bench will matter

Team USA was careless early against a much less talented New Zealand side. Edwards and Brunson were expected to be headliners for the Americans in this year's FIBA World Cup, but both were sluggish in their first official game of the tournament. Players in the first unit were careless as passers, ball handlers, and shooters. Early turnovers helped the Kiwis go up by as many as nine points in the first frame before American reserves stepped things up. 

Tyrese Haliburton's ability to jump passing lanes and orchestrate offense on the fly led to easy looks for Reaves and Banchero as soon as he entered the game. The trio made up half of the six Americans who reached double-digits in points by the final buzzer. They also combined for six steals and four blocks on the defensive end. Only Brunson eclipsed 24 minutes for Team USA, so expect Kerr to balance his rotation and expect equal contributions across the board moving forward.

2. Paolo Banchero could play a larger role than expected

The USA's 2023 FIBA World Cup roster is far from star-studded, but most expected last season's NBA Rookie of the Year to take a back seat to more established players when he made the team. Banchero and Walker Kessler are the only players on the roster without playoff experience. The 20-year-old showed poise beyond his years, though. 

Banchero isn't likely to be featured given the talent and experience of the players around him, but his effort on the glass and cutting to the basket make him easy to play in an international game that's less dependent upon individual skill and isolation. Banchero can score on all three levels and has shown he can be effective on defense by notching three rejections without fouling in 18 minutes. Team USA needs versatility and mobility in its frontcourt should the foul-prone Jaren Jackson Jr. get into trouble. Banchero can provide that.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:36 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Banchero unexpectedly led all players with 21 points on 80 percent shooting off the bench. Te Rangi wasn't behind with 15 points of 15 points of his own while Edwards finished with 14 en route to Team USA's 99-72 victory.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:25 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Banchero is doing it all on both ends and is up to a game-high 19 points. He's 7-for-8 from the field with three blocks and could play the rest of the way while he has the hot hand. Team USA is up 87-70.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:18 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Haliburton has made the fourth quarter his personal passing showcase. The point guard has done a little bit of everything with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals before New Zealand's first timeout of the fourth quarter. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 10:10 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Team USA's lead has ballooned to 18 points and Banchero is lighting New Zealand up. The 20-year-old Orlando Magic star boasts a team-high 17 points and has only missed one of his seven shot attempts. The Americans will enter the fourth quarter with a 76-58 lead.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 9:58 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Edwards is up to a game-high 14 points after going 2-for-2 from the field to start the second half. He's 5-for-10 from the field overall and Team USA leads 62-47. The Americans appear to be ready to pull away down the home stretch.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 9:38 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Team USA has weathered the storm and holds a 45-36 lead over New Zealand at the break. Edwards is only 3-for-8 from the field but leads the Americans with 10 points. He's trailed by Austin Reaves (8). Te Rangi leads all scorers with 11 points on 4-for-10 shooting.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 9:12 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Reuben Tu Rangi is heating up and forced Team USA to call a timeout after securing a 26-25 lead on a drive against Haliburton. The Kiwi is scoring at all three levels with ease during the Americans' cold spell. 

[Aug 26, 2023 at 9:04 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

The Americans' first-quarter comeback was fueled by high-energy play off the bench from Paolo Banchero and Tyrese Haliburton. Banchero's rim running and Haliburton's defense and playmaking have led to a 19-18 Team USA lead at the break.

[Aug 26, 2023 at 8:55 am ET · Ameer Tyree]

Team USA has been sloppy early and New Zealand has taken advantage of turnovers to score easy baskets in transition. The Tall Blacks secured an 14-8 lead heading into the first timeout of the game.