Current NBA champion Derrick White will step into the spot that the LA Clippers two-way forward left vacant after dropping out of Team USA on Tuesday due to a lingering injury. His status had been uncertain even though officials repeatedly pointed out that he was looking good in practice; but the inflammation in his right knee persisted and the veteran will definitely miss the Paris 2024 Games in order to properly rehab.

White, a defensive specialist with a well-rounded offensive game for the Boston Celtics, would have felt right at home on Wednesday in the win over Canada, who entered the friendly match with an edge after defeating the US in the 2023 Worlds and developing contender consideration for the gold in the upcoming Olympics.

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, it expected to compete with the southern neighbours in Vegas, but LeBron James and Stephen Curry had other ideas, as they combined for 19 points and showcased their transcendent basketball skills once more, despite being 39 and 36 years old, respectively.

Playing alongside each other for the first time internationally, the longtime NBA rivals made a strong case for their leadership being the key factor in Team USA’s push for a fifth consecutive gold medal. "We're just two guys who love to play the game of basketball," James said after the win. "It's fun. We play the game at a high level but more importantly, we just play the game that we love the right way."

The “right way” was not apparent early, as Canada jumped out to a 11-1 advantage thanks to some pressing defense and smooth transition game, while Kerr’s team seemed to come out flat, perhaps distracted by the presence and salute of former US president Barack Obama in the house. But things shifted quickly after Curry, who finished with 12 points, got going hitting a triple, Anthony Davis closed down the paint and the Celtics’ Jason Tatum started attacking the rim.

The guys in the ‘stars & stripes’ committed eight turnovers in the opening quarter but cleaned things up in the second, tied the game on an Anthony Edwards jumper and never looked back as Jrue Holiday, another Celtic, led the defensive clamp-down on Team Canada and James put the exclamation point by blocking a Gilgeous-Alexander layup attempt.

It was an eight-point lead at intermission for the home team, who kept going small-ball in the second half, with Curry thriving and pushing the pace, even setting up a transition alley-oop dunk for James in a rewind-the-clock moment that sent the crown into a frenzy. Canada was no match for Davis inside either, despite keeping within distance in the fourth. It was just a friendly, but the blueprint is now there for Kerr in order to claim victory in Paris: defensive assertiveness and let the veterans lead the way.

No Leonard? No problem. Anthony Edwards scored 13 points for the US and Davis and Holiday added 10 each, while RJ Barrett finished with 12 points for Canada, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks each had 10 as well. "We know we can be a lot better but we've only been together four days," James conceded afterwards. "All the miscues offensively, and the turnovers. We'll get better with that -- but it starts on the defensive end. As long as we defend, we'll give ourselves a good chance to win every night.”

The US will now play exhibition games against Australia and Serbia next week in the United Arab Emirates, where it hopes to quickly integrate White and get back forward Kevin Durant, who sat out on Wednesday. "We can work out the kinks and the timing on offense, but if we compete like that and commit to playing defense, we'll be fine against anybody," Curry agreed. "We just want to win gold, whatever that takes." The Warriors’ franchise player was part of two world-championship-winning teams in 2010 and 2014, while James tasted Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012.

As for Canada, the Olympic assault remains a work in progress. A talented roster and a creative coach weren’t enough in Vegas. It remains to be seen whether some tweaks and added game experience can do the trick come August.