The USA will have to wait at least a few more days before clinching a berth in the 2019 Basketball World Cup.
Nicolas Laprovittola scored 17 points, Lucio Redivo added 14 and Argentina shook off a slow start to beat the US 80-63 in a World Cup qualifying game on Thursday night.
The win put Argentina (8-1) atop Group E qualifying in the Americas region, one game up on the US (7-2) with three contests remaining for both teams.
The top three teams in the division are assured of a spot in the World Cup, and the Americans can clinch with a win on Sunday at Uruguay.
The US is using rosters filled primarily by G League players in qualifying because of changes in FIBA rules.
NBA players aren't available for the qualifying games, though if the US makes it to the World Cup in China it will then be the NBA stars taking over in a quest for a third consecutive gold medal in the event.
