USA Rallies in Semifinals to Stun Serbia, Advance to Olympic Gold Medal Game
In an electrifying semifinal clash at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team mounted a historic comeback to defeat Serbia, 95-91, securing their spot in the gold medal game against host nation France. Trailing by 17 at one point and entering the final quarter down 13, the U.S. orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, spearheaded by an extraordinary performance from Stephen Curry.
For most of the game, Serbia maintained control, leading for over 35 of the 40 minutes. Their sharpshooting from beyond the arc kept the U.S. at bay, as Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric combined for a stellar performance from 3-point range. Serbia's offensive rhythm was orchestrated by Nikola Jokic, who played almost the entire game and finished with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists.
However, the tide turned in the fourth quarter. Steve Kerr, the U.S. coach, leaned heavily on his veterans as the game hung in the balance. "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," read one astute observation. Curry, alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker, formed the critical closing lineup that ultimately made the difference.
The USA's fourth-quarter resurgence was nothing short of spectacular. They outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final period, with Stephen Curry taking the lead. Curry's nine 3-pointers, the second-most ever by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics, proved pivotal. He scored seven of Team USA's last 11 points, including the go-ahead trey with 2:24 remaining, ultimately sealing the win. Curry ended the game with 36 points, just one point shy of the American Olympic record.
LeBron James, playing the entire fourth quarter, delivered in every aspect of the game, securing his second career Olympic triple-double with 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: 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists," detailed an account of his performance.
The U.S. needed every bit of James' and Curry's excellence. Their defense in the final quarter was just as noteworthy as their offensive prowess. Serbia, which had made five 3-pointers in each of the first three quarters, went cold from beyond the arc, missing all nine of their fourth-quarter attempts. This defensive clampdown was crucial in keeping Serbia to just 15 points in the closing period.
Steve Kerr’s adjustments played a crucial role. His only substitution in the fourth quarter until the final seconds was bringing Joel Embiid in for Anthony Davis. Embiid's presence on the defensive end helped stymie Serbia's scoring, complementing the offensive fireworks of Curry and James.
Notably, Kerr's reliance on his stars contrasts starkly with earlier games in the tournament, where he utilized a deeper rotation. The second unit, featuring talents like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, and Derrick White, struggled in this high-stakes matchup. Derrick White's 6:46 on the floor saw the U.S. outscored by 16, and Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton didn't even make it into the game.
Despite the struggles of the bench, Durant was a steady hand, being the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals. His contributions, although not as pronounced as in other games, provided stability when the team needed it most.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated gold medal showdown with France, adding another chapter to what has already been a dramatic and thrilling Olympic campaign for Team USA. As they prepare to face the host nation, the confidence gained from overcoming a formidable Serbian team will undoubtedly serve them well. The resilience and talent displayed by veterans like Curry and James highlight why they remain cornerstones of American basketball excellence.