USA Overcomes Serbia’s Strong Start with a Stunning Comeback in Semifinals
In a thrilling encounter at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team clinched a hard-fought victory over Serbia with a scoreline of 95-91, securing their spot in the highly anticipated gold medal game against France. The semifinal clash proved to be a roller-coaster ride, marked by extraordinary performances and a remarkable comeback.
Trailing by 17 points at one stage and down by 13 points heading into the final quarter, the USA faced an uphill battle. Serbia commanded the game for over 35 of the 40 minutes, showcasing their prowess from the 3-point range, particularly through the efforts of Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric. Their performance, combined with Nikola Jokic's near-complete game, where he tallied 17 points and a game-high 11 assists, placed Serbia in a dominant position for much of the match.
However, U.S. coach Steve Kerr’s decision to rely heavily on his veteran players in the critical moments paid dividends. As Kerr observed, "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." His strategic shift came to fruition with the critical contributions from the star-studded lineup of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. This move turned the tide against Serbia in the closing moments.
Though Derrick White’s stint on the court saw the USA outscored by 16 points over 6:46 minutes, the performance of Curry and James was exceptional. Stephen Curry, in particular, was unstoppable, making nine three-pointers – the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in Olympic history. He finished the game with an impressive 36 points, leading the charge in the final quarter where the USA outscored Serbia 32-15.
LeBron James, a crucial figure in the victory, notched his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His influence proved vital during crunch time, epitomized by his performance in the final quarter where he racked up six points, six rebounds, and four 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: 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists," highlighted the transformative presence of James in the game.
As the clock wound down, Joel Embiid replaced Anthony Davis in Steve Kerr’s only substitution of the fourth quarter until the final seconds. Serbia, meanwhile, struggled in the closing stages, failing to convert any of their nine attempts from beyond the arc in the final quarter, which severely impacted their chances of maintaining their lead.
Kevin Durant also left his mark on the game, being the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals, which speaks volumes about his contribution to the team’s defensive and offensive efforts. Kerr's strategy of leaning on his veterans lent a significant edge to the U.S., allowing them to overturn the deficit and claim victory.
The U.S. team's comeback was not just a testament to their skill but also to their resilience and strategic prowess. With this victory, the USA now sets their sights on France in the upcoming gold medal game. The stage is set for an epic showdown as both teams vie for the top honors at the Olympics.