Basketball star Jayson Taytum was benched for the USA. GETTY IMAGES

Steve Kerr says that while Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t play in Sunday’s opening victory over Serbia, he will still have a key role in the USA's quest for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Five-time All-Star Tatum, a crucial part of Boston's NBA championship run last season, watched in frustration from the bench as Team USA cruised to a 110-84 win over Serbia. Kerr explained that Tatum was sidelined to make room for Kevin Durant's return from injury, a choice Kerr admitted might seem "crazy" at first.

"It's tough to play more than 10 guys in a 40-minute game," Kerr said. "With Kevin coming back, I opted for the lineups I thought would work best." Despite this, Kerr assured that Tatum would have a significant role later in the tournament, praising him as the "ultimate pro."



"Tatum is a three-time First Team All-NBA player and one of the best in the world," Kerr said. "He’s incredibly professional and will definitely make an impact."

Kerr also emphasised the importance of focusing on winning games and putting NBA rivalries aside. "The key is to set aside NBA stuff and win six games," Kerr said. "Jayson is a champion and has handled the situation well. He'll be ready for the next game."

Team USA will play South Sudan in their second group match on Wednesday and face Puerto Rico in Lille next Saturday to complete the first round. South Sudan got off to a flyer in their opener, claiming their first ever win at an Olympics, therefore making history.