Jalen Brunson, Team USA Defeat Spain at Showcase Ahead of 2023 FIBA World Cup | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Sarah Rodriguez
Published Mar 24, 2026
The United States men's basketball team continued its tune-up schedule ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Sunday with a 98-88 win against Spain at Martín Carpena Sports Palace in Málaga, Spain.
After cruising to a 92-62 win over Slovenia on Saturday, the Americans faced arguably their toughest opponent yet in their five-game USA Basketball Showcase exhibition series against Spain, which is led by the Hernangómez brothers—Willy and Juancho.
While play was back-and-forth for much of the game, the United States ultimately proved that its NBA talent was too much for Spain to handle.
The United States and Spain went back-and-forth for much of the first half, though New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was a key figure in the Americans breaking away for a 55-45 lead entering halftime.
Brunson finished the first half with 16 points, two rebounds and three assists.
USA Basketball @usabasketballMy oh my 🤯 <br><br>🇺🇸 <a href="">#USABMNT</a><br>📺 FS1 <a href="">
NBA @NBAThe 🇺🇸 and 🇪🇸 are trading BUCKETS in Q1 👀<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBAThe handles and ball movement from Jalen Brunson 🥶<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBA16 first-half PTS for Jalen Brunson. Hooping.<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBAEVERYTHING is going in for Jalen Brunson 🔥<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
Here are some of the other highlights from the first half that also saw the United States play lockdown defense in the closing moments of the second quarter:
USA Basketball @usabasketballBI BIG TIME 🔥<br><br>🇺🇸 <a href="">#USABMNT</a><br>📺 FS1 <a href="">
NBA @NBADefense ➡️ offense <br><br>JJJ's block turns into a BI lob 🔥<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBASanti Aldama throws it DOWN with the double-clutch 🔨<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
The Spaniards got out to a blazing second half start to cut the United States' 10-point lead to just one point as the Americans put together an abysmal effort on both ends of the floor. Spain kept its foot on the gas as it continued to dominate into the third quarter and they eventually charged back to a 65-64 lead at the three-minute mark.
However, the United States found a way to miraculously reclaim a 73-72 lead entering the fourth quarter in part thanks to the performances of Austin Reaves and Anthony Edwards, who was arguably the team's best player in the second half.
USA Basketball @usabasketballAnt glides in for the flush! 🇺🇸 <a href="">#USABMNT</a> <a href="">
USA Basketball @usabasketballWhat. A. Block. 😤<br><br>🇺🇸 <a href="">#USABMNT</a><br>📺 FOX <a href="">
NBA @NBAAustin Reaves finds Mikal Bridges for the smooth finish 😮💨<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
USA Basketball @usabasketballWhat we LOVE to see 😎<br><br>🇺🇸 <a href="">#USABMNT</a> <br>📺 FOX <a href="">
NBA @NBAReaves steal.<br>Johnson dish.<br>Banchero finish.<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBAHaliburton throws it DOWN off the steal 💪<br><br>Team USA leads a close one in Q4 🇺🇸<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
NBA @NBAAnt so smooth on the reverse finish 😴<a href="">#USABMNT</a> vs. Spain | Live on FOX 📺 <a href="">
USA Basketball @usabasketballLike we said... 🤩 <a href="">
The U.S. was able to keep its late third-quarter momentum going into the fourth quarter to close out the game and another victory leading up to the FIBA World Cup. The Americans also shot much better from deep in Saturday's game after a 9-of-33 performance against Slovenia. They made 10-of-17 from deep against Spain.
Spain is No. 1 in the FIBA World Ranking, so this goes down as a solid win for the Americans as they build toward the World Cup.
The United States opens the FIBA World Cup on Aug. 26 against New Zealand.
