USA Men’s Basketball Begins Gold Medal Defense with Dominant Win Over Serbia
By Rohan Nadkarni
The U.S. men’s basketball team kicked off their gold medal defense at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a commanding 110-84 victory over Serbia in their opening group play match. The game was held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, with updates provided until the early hours of July 29.
Kevin Durant and LeBron James Shine
Kevin Durant led Team USA, scoring 23 points on an impressive 8-of-9 shooting performance. Despite missing all exhibition games leading up to the Olympics, Durant showed no signs of rust, coming off the bench with remarkable efficiency. LeBron James, making his Olympic return after a 12-year hiatus since the 2012 London Games, contributed significantly with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Game Highlights
The U.S. men’s basketball team showcased their shooting prowess, hitting 62.3% from the field and 56.3% from beyond the arc. The dynamic movement and off-ball play of Devin Booker and Stephen Curry created significant challenges for the Serbian defense. The American front-court rotation of Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis was formidable, effectively protecting the paint and limiting Serbia’s scoring opportunities.
Jrue Holiday added 15 points while providing strong on-ball defense. Booker chipped in 12 points, and Curry and Anthony Edwards each scored 11 points. Edwards also brought his trademark enthusiasm, taunting Serbian defenders on a couple of his baskets, adding to the excitement on the court.
Serbia’s Effort
Nikola Jokić, Serbia’s standout player and three-time NBA MVP, led his team with 20 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Despite his efforts, Serbia couldn’t keep up with the talent-laden USA squad. The Serbian team, featuring NBA stars Nikola Jović and Bogdan Bogdanović, struggled to maintain their footing after a competitive first quarter.
Tactical Adjustments
Coach Steve Kerr’s strategy included a tighter rotation with Durant coming off the bench. This decision resulted in Jayson Tatum, a reigning NBA champion, not seeing any action in the opening game. Kerr prioritized a defensive approach, favoring Tatum’s Celtics teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White in key moments.
Paris 2024 Olympics Medal Leaders
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 6 | 3 | 12 |
| France | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Japan | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Looking Ahead
The U.S. team’s next group game is against South Sudan on Wednesday. The two teams faced off recently, with the USA narrowly winning 101-100 on July 20.
The dominant performance against Serbia is an encouraging start for the U.S. team as they aim for their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Despite Serbia’s strong cohesion and recent success, including a silver medal at last year’s FIBA World Cup, the depth and skill of the American squad proved to be overwhelming.
For more updates and live coverage, stay tuned.
References:
Nadkarni, R. (2024, July 29). USA men’s basketball begins gold medal defense with dominant win over Serbia. NBC News. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/usa-basketball-begins-gold-medal-defense-dominant-win-serbia-rcna163986
