LeBron James brings the ball up the court against Canada in the second half of their exhibition game ahead of the Paris Olympic Games at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Image credit: IMAGN)

Star forward LeBron James is expected to play and make the start for Team USA against a fierce international foe on Monday. The squad will face off against the Australian national team for an exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics in Abu Dhabi.

Their starting lineup on July 10 included James, Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid. Reports say it’s possible that Edwards and Tatum start for Team USA Monday after clips from scrimmage showed them on the same squad as Curry and the four-time NBA champion James.

Steve Kerr said he will have changes to the starting lineup, per Joe Vardon of the Athletic. LeBron James was pedestrian in the first exhibition game with Canada but paced the team all around with seven points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. He was operating as the point forward to start the game.

LeBron James’ best moment in the game came in the second half, when he and Curry ran the floor in transition and connected on an alley-oop that saw the 39-year-old throw down a vintage dunk.

LeBron James’ Team USA preview vs. Australia

Team USA was riding a 78-game win streak before Australia beat them 98-94 in 2019 before the FIBA World Cup. Australian captain Patty Mills scored 30 in the game.

“The Boomers” feature a wealth of NBA players that includes Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey and Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum. They performed poorly at the FIBA World Cup last year, failing to make the knockouts, and finishing in 10th place. Mills scored 18.6 points and 5.0 assists per game, while Giddey averaged 19.4 points and 6.0 assists as the team went 3-2.

Their best moment internationally was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They finished with a 5-1 record and a bronze medal after losing to Team USA 97-78 in the semifinals.

Team USA last played Canada on July 10. After struggling early, their second unit gave them a lift, and they held onto a sizable lead the entire game. Anthony Edwards led the team with 13 points.

Australia plays their first match of the Olympics on July 27 against Spain. They’re a part of a loaded Group A that includes Greece and Canada as well. Team USA, in Group C, plays their first game against Serbia on July 28. They’re in a group that also includes South Sudan and Puerto Rico.