USA Stages Thrilling Comeback to Defeat Serbia in Olympic Semifinals
In a dramatic turn of events, the USA men's basketball team clinched a nail-biting victory over Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Olympics, winning 95-91. The result guarantees the USA a spot in the gold medal game against France, furthering their quest for Olympic glory.
After trailing by as much as 17 points and entering the final quarter down by 13, the American squad displayed relentless determination. Serbia, powered by standout performances from Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, maintained control for over 35 of the 40 minutes, a testament to their formidable offense and sharp shooting from 3-point range.
However, it was in the critical final stretches that the difference-making plays emerged. USA coach Steve Kerr, known for his strategic acumen, placed his faith in his seasoned veterans. “Having spent most of the Olympics playing a deep rotation, U.S. coach Steve Kerr relied heavily on his veterans with the game on the line,” observed the team's strategy shift.
Stephen Curry’s Spectacular Performance
Stephen Curry headlined the USA’s blistering fourth-quarter rally, sinking nine 3-pointers to amass a total of 36 points — the second-most by a U.S. men’s basketball player in Olympic history. Curry embodies the high-octane, clutch performer persona, and his display against Serbia was nothing short of phenomenal.
The USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final quarter, flipping the script and securing an improbable comeback. Serbia’s shooting went cold at the worst possible time, missing all nine of their 3-point attempts in the decisive quarter, which contributed heavily to their collapse.
LeBron James: The Unyielding Force
LeBron James, another pillar of the team, achieved his second career Olympic triple-double during the game. His stat line of 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists highlighted his all-around influence on the court. Calm and collected, James was omnipresent during the pivotal moments, earning him admiration from fans and adversaries alike. “James, meanwhile, was everywhere down the stretch. Playing the entire fourth quarter, he had six points, six rebounds and four assists and finished with his second career Olympics triple-double: 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists,” an account of his clutch performance detailed.
Strategic Coaching Decisions
Steve Kerr's tactical decisions also played a crucial role. Kerr leaned on a closing lineup featuring Curry, James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. The only substitution in the fourth quarter was bringing in Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis until the final seconds, showcasing Kerr's reliance on consistency and experience under pressure. Although Derrick White saw 6:46 minutes of play, the team was outscored by 16 points during his stint, a challenging period the team had to overcome.
Kevin Durant further solidified his status as a critical contributor, being the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus during the semifinals, reflecting his efficient and effective gameplay. Despite facing a resilient Serbian side featuring Nikola Jokic, who nearly played the entire game and contributed 17 points and a game-high 11 assists, the U.S. team's collective effort triumphed.
As the final buzzer sounded, the significance of the win resonated with the players and fans. Overcoming a notable deficit against a talented Serbian team underscored the USA’s resilience and high basketball IQ. With their eyes now set on France in the gold medal game, the USA men’s basketball team looks to channel the same grit and tactical brilliance that brought them back from the brink in this thrilling semifinal showdown.