Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker is the latest to leave Team USA, doing so Friday because of a minor left ankle sprain suffered in practice Thursday.
He will return to Houston and prepare for Rockets’ training camp.
Tucker is the second player to leave due to injury since Team USA held its first organized scrimmage last week in Las Vegas. Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry withdrew on Monday due to his surgically repaired left thumb.
Team USA was set to test itself against Spain on Friday night in Anaheim, Calif., before heading to Australia for three more exhibition games in advance of the FIBA World Cup, which begins Aug. 31 in China.
Tucker, 34, averaged 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds while playing in all 82 games for the Rockets for the second consecutive season.
The two withdrawals leave Team USA with 14 players competing for spots on the 12-man roster — which doesn’t have to be finalized until Aug. 29. The remaining participants:
Guards — De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento; Joe Harris, Brooklyn; Donovan Mitchell, Utah; Marcus Smart, Boston; Kemba Walker, Boston; Derrick White, San Antonio.
Forwards — Harrison Barnes, Sacramento; Jaylen Brown, Boston; Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers; Khris Middleton, Milwaukee; Jayson Tatum, Boston.
Centers — Brook Lopez, Milwaukee; Mason Plumlee, Denver; Myles Turner, Indiana.
The 32-team World Cup is scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 15. Team USA plays its first game on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic in Shanghai.
