Fans think USA basketball team aimed dig at Noah Lyles after victory over Serbia

Fans think the USA basketball team aimed a dig at Noah Lyles after collecting a bronze medal in the 200 metres final at the Olympics.

Having claimed gold in the 100 metres final, Lyles earned a place on the podium again in a second event.

The sprinter finished behind teammate Kenny Bednarek and Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, who blasted Lyles in his post-race interview after winning his country's first ever gold.

But Lyles actually raced a time of 19.70 while suffering from COVID-19 after testing positive in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Immediately quarantining, he made the decision to battle through the illness and was placed in a wheelchair after the race.

Image: Getty

But the 27-year-old appeared to be the subject of a cheap shot from the official US basketball account on X.

Led by Steph Curry and LeBron James, the US have guaranteed at least a silver medal after beating Serbia 95-91 in the semi finals.

The team's account sent a clear message when they posted celebration images with the caption: "We don't play for Bronze".

Image: X/@usabasketball

Although it may well have been innocently referencing avoiding a bronze medal match, many couldn't help but feel the post was an attack on Lyles, who memorably dismissed NBA teams and players calling themselves "world champions".

One asked: "Shot at Noah Lyles?"

Another said: "Oh shi we throwing shots a Lyles?"

A third wrote: "Shots sent at Noah Lyles."

A final person commented: "The Noah Lyles vs. NBA might be the best beef going in Olympics lol. We stay infighting as a country."

Lyles' comments caused a real stir at the World Championships in 2023, with the whole of the NBA on strings and rapper Drake even getting involved.

He said: "You know the thing that hurts me the most is that I have to watch the NBA Finals and they have 'world champion' on their head."

"World champion of what? The United States? Don't get me wrong, I love the U.S. at times, but that ain't the world... We are the world."

Lyles, meanwhile has confirmed COVID has put an end to his Olympic campaign and he will not participate in the 4x100m men's relay.