Gasol plays through calf injury in semis vs. U.S.
Spain has their leading scorer in the starting lineup Friday as they try to end Team USA's 74-game winning streak and dethrone the two-time defending Olympic gold medalists in the Rio 2016 semis.
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Big man Pau Gasol, who is dealing with a calf strain that Spain coach Sergio Scariolo said might sideline him for the monumental contest, is playing through the injury and drew the start at center.
Gasol is averaging 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in the tournament - good for seventh, first, and second among all participants. Spain remains a significant underdog, but losing Gasol would've all but torpedoed their hopes of swinging an upset.
Spain and the U.S. have squared off in the gold-medal game at each of the last two Olympics, with Gasol going for 21 points and six rebounds in 2008, and 24 points, eight boards, and seven assists in 2012.