Puerto Rico's Upset Over the USA (2004 Athens)

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On August 15, 2004, Puerto Rico achieved a historic upset in Olympic basketball by defeating the United States 92-73 at the Athens Olympics. This victory marked the first time the U.S. national team, featuring NBA players, lost in Olympic competition. The Puerto Rican team, led by Carlos Arroyo, Eddie Casiano, and José "Piculín" Ortiz, executed a strategic zone defense that left the U.S. struggling to find rhythm. Arroyo scored 24 points and had seven assists, while Casiano added 18 points, leading Puerto Rico to a dominant second quarter that set the tone for the game. The loss was significant for the U.S., ending a 24-game Olympic winning streak since NBA players were allowed to compete. The U.S. team, coached by Larry Brown and featuring stars like Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony, struggled with outside shooting and defense throughout the tournament. Despite the upset, Puerto Rico eventually lost to Italy in the quarterfinals, while the U.S. secured a bronze medal. This historic game underscored the growing competitiveness of international basketball teams and marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the U.S. national team program.