In a thrilling semifinal showdown at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team overcame a significant deficit to defeat Serbia, 95-91, and secured their place in the gold medal game against France.
Comeback Drama
The game was anything but straightforward for the USA, who found themselves trailing by as much as 17 points at one stage. Serbia, led by the impressive performances of Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric from 3-point range, controlled the tempo and dominated for over 35 of the game's 40 minutes. Their star player, Nikola Jokic, played almost the entire match, contributing 17 points and a game-high 11 assists.
The USA entered the final quarter down by 13 points, a daunting scenario for any team. However, U.S. coach Steve Kerr, having spent most of the Olympics employing a deep rotation, decided to rely heavily on his veterans when the stakes were highest. “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,” observers noted.
Veterans Lead the Charge
In the critical closing sequence of the game, Kerr’s lineup featured seasoned stalwarts Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. The experience and skill of these players became evident as they mounted a sensational comeback. The USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in the fourth quarter, flipping the script of the game in dramatic fashion.
Stephen Curry was instrumental in leading the charge, hitting nine 3-pointers—the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics—and amassed a total of 36 points. LeBron James, ever the playmaker, achieved his second career Olympic triple-double, finishing the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His influence was palpable throughout the pivotal final moments. “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 Herculean effort explained.
Key Defensive Efforts
Defensively, the USA locked down Serbia's long-range threats. Remarkably, Serbia missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, a testament to the U.S. team's defensive adjustments and intensity. Steve Kerr made a crucial substitution in the final quarter, bringing in Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis until the game's closing seconds, ensuring that the team had the necessary defensive presence to complement their offensive firepower.
While much of the attention was rightly on the heroics of Curry and James, Kevin Durant's contribution should not be overlooked. Durant was the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals, further highlighting his efficiency and effectiveness on the court.
Challenges and Adjustments
The victory, although hard-fought, underscored the resilience and depth of the U.S. team. Derrick White had a tough stint, playing for 6:46 minutes during which the USA was outscored by 16 points, adding pressure on the veterans to steer the ship back on course. Despite these challenges, the leadership and clutch play of the experienced roster members prevailed, setting the stage for another marquee matchup—this time against France for the gold medal.
As the USA prepares for the final, their semifinal triumph serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of experience, leadership, and tactical acuity in the high-pressure environment of Olympic basketball. The narrative of the semifinal is one of perseverance, strategic brilliance, and the indomitable spirit of a team that never loses sight of the ultimate goal. The stage is now set for what promises to be an electrifying gold medal game.