USA Secures Thrilling Victory Over Serbia to Reach Olympic Gold Medal Game
In an electrifying semifinal showdown at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team mounted a stunning comeback to defeat Serbia, 95-91, securing their place in the gold medal game against France. Despite trailing by 17 points at one stage and entering the final quarter down by 13, the American squad demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical brilliance under the guidance of coach Steve Kerr.
The Serbian team, featuring standout players like Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, dominated the majority of the game. Nikola Jokic was pivotal for Serbia, playing almost the entire game and finishing with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists. Serbia led for over 35 of the 40 minutes, showcasing their prowess in both offensive and defensive facets of the game.
Coach Steve Kerr, known for his strategic mastery, made a pivotal decision by relying heavily on his veterans in the final quarter. "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 analysts. This strategy paid off as the Americans surged ahead in the closing minutes.
The Comeback: Led by Veterans
The critical closing lineup featured NBA legends Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. Stephen Curry delivered an extraordinary performance, making nine 3-pointers—the second-most ever by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics—and totaling 36 points. His sharpshooting was instrumental in the USA outscoring Serbia 32-15 in the fourth quarter, turning the tide of the game.
LeBron James also played a crucial role in the comeback. He was omnipresent in the final quarter, logging six points, six rebounds, and four assists, culminating in his second career Olympic triple-double: 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. "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," noted commentators.
Kevin Durant’s performance was equally pivotal, contributing not just in scoring but also in maintaining a strong defensive presence. He was the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals, underscoring his impactful play on both ends of the floor.
Decisive Moments
Steve Kerr's choice to bring Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis until the final seconds was his only substitution in the climactic quarter, emphasizing his trust in his veteran stalwarts. Meanwhile, Derrick White's limited 6:46 minutes on the court saw the USA being outscored by 16 points, leading Kerr to stick with his experienced players for the remainder of the game.
Serbia faltered in the final stretch, missing all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, which proved costly. Their inability to convert from long range contrasted sharply with Curry's precision from beyond the arc and highlighted the pressure exerted by the U.S.'s relentless defense.
Looking Ahead: The Gold Medal Game
The USA's thrilling victory propels them into the gold medal game against France, promising another exciting contest. The resilience and experience demonstrated by the American team in the semifinals have kept their championship aspirations alive and showcased their championship pedigree.
As the USA prepares for the final clash, the lessons learned and the momentum gained from the comeback victory against Serbia will undoubtedly play a crucial role. With stalwarts like Curry, James, and Durant leading the charge, and a tactical maestro in Steve Kerr steering the ship, the team's prospects for securing the gold look promising.