In a thrilling semifinal showdown at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team showcased resilience and elite talent to edge past Serbia with a 95-91 victory, earning their spot in the gold medal game against France. The game, a rollercoaster of emotions, featured exceptional individual performances, strategic coaching decisions, and a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback by Team USA.
USA's Comeback Heroics
The USA found themselves in a deep hole, trailing Serbia by 17 points at one juncture and entering the final quarter down by 13. Serbia controlled the game's tempo for more than 35 minutes of the 40-minute contest, primarily fueled by the stellar shooting of Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric from beyond the arc.
Serbia's ace, Nikola Jokic, was instrumental in their dominance. Jokic, playing nearly the entire game, amassed 17 points and led all players with 11 assists. Despite this formidable challenge, USA coach Steve Kerr leaned on his seasoned veterans in the game's crucial moments, adopting a more concentrated rotation strategy.
"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," one account noted, emphasizing the shift in Kerr's approach as the stakes rose.
Veterans Lead the Charge
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker were the critical lineup in the final period. Curry, in particular, was nothing short of spectacular. He drained nine 3-pointers, the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in Olympic history, en route to a game-high 36 points. His shooting display ignited the USA's comeback as they outscored Serbia 32-15 in the fourth quarter.
LeBron James, a veteran presence and perennial leader, delivered his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His performance was particularly impactful in the closing minutes, where he contributed six points, six rebounds, and four assists. "James, meanwhile, was everywhere down the stretch," an observer noted. "Playing the entire fourth quarter, he had six points, six rebounds and four assists and finished with his second career Olympics triple-double."
Kevin Durant also played a pivotal role, being the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in a game where every point counted dearly. His defensive efforts and timely scoring were crucial to the USA’s final push.
Serbia’s Shortcomings in the Clutch
Serbia, for all their brilliance throughout the game, faltered when it mattered most. They missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, a sharp contrast to their early efficiency. Jokic’s efforts were commendable, but the team’s inability to buy a basket in the final minutes sealed their fate.
The game saw only one substitution from Kerr in the decisive period when he brought Joel Embiid off the bench for Anthony Davis, maintaining a cohesive unit on the floor. Notably, Derrick White, who played for 6:46 minutes, saw the USA being outscored by 16 points during his stint, underscoring the critical nature of Kerr’s veteran-heavy strategy in crunch time.
Looking Ahead to the Gold Medal Game
With the win, Team USA shifts their focus to the gold medal game against France, a formidable opponent that promises another electrifying matchup. As Kerr’s squad looks to build on this momentum, the blend of youth and experience will be key to securing the ultimate prize in Olympic basketball.
Stephen Curry's shooting prowess, LeBron James's all-around greatness, and the defensive tenacity of the entire team will be pivotal as they prepare to face France. Continually evolving and adapting their strategy, Team USA remains a beacon of resilience and talent on the world stage. The stage is set for a breathtaking conclusion to an already enthralling Olympic journey.