MELBOURNE, Australia -- Team USA superstar Donovan Mitchell has brushed off his side's shocking 98-94 loss to Australia on Saturday afternoon (AEST), saying it was a game that ultimately means nothing.
The Boomers, led by star guard Patty Mills, came from behind at Marvel Stadium to claim their first win over the United States in 28 attempts. For Team USA, it was the first time they had tasted defeat on the international stage since 2006.
But Mitchell insists the loss isn't one that will concern the locker room, given that it was only an exhibition game with nothing on the line.
"At the end of the day, this game doesn't count," Mitchell said. "Obviously it hurts to lose but I look at this as more of a learning experience as opposed to we just lost. That's the mindset. If you think of this as a loss you start to get carried away.
Kemba Walker, who once again top-scored for Team USA with 22 points, was also unfazed after the defeat.
The Boston Celtics guard and NBA All-Star said the 78-game winning streak the Americans had put together was bound to end at some point.
"They say Team USA doesn't lose, I get it. They haven't lost in a very long time, which I understand, but it happens. Teams lose," Walker said after the game. "You hate to lose, but it's probably good for us. It humbled us very much.
"We're going to take this loss and build from it. That's all we can do now. Just try our best to get better."
Team USA had scored a 16-point win over the Boomers on Thursday night at the same venue and it looked like they were on their way to another victory when they opened up a 10-point lead early in the third quarter on Saturday.
However, the Australians rallied and worked their way back into the contest before Mills exploded in the fourth quarter with 13 points, taking his game tally to 30.
"These guys have been playing with each other for a very long time and they just know each other and do a great job," Walker said. "All the credit to those guys and we can't take away anything they did. They played extremely well and that's what we expected."
Team USA have one final World Cup warm-up game against Canada in Sydney on Monday night. They will then fly out to China.
"We have the film and we're going to watch it on the plane and be ready for Canada, that's the best thing," Mitchell said. "We've got some things to work on but I think we did a pretty good job. We've just got to talk a bit more and communicate. For us, it's continuing to build."