PARIS — In a thrilling semifinal showdown, the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team mounted an incredible comeback against Serbia, down by 11 points in the fourth quarter. Thanks to an explosive two-second stretch, featuring six crucial points, the Americans secured a spot in the gold medal game at the Paris Games.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker ignited the comeback, while Stephen Curry delivered an outstanding performance with 36 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining. The final score was 95-91, cementing the U.S. victory in a nail-biting contest.
LeBron James achieved the fourth triple-double in U.S. Olympic history, contributing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. The U.S. initially trailed by 17 points in the first half, marking the largest deficit overcome by an American team in Olympic play since the inclusion of NBA players began in 1992.
“It was a special game,” Curry reflected on the performance. Despite struggling for much of the match — leading for only 3 minutes and 25 seconds — the Americans displayed remarkable fortitude in the final quarter.
The upcoming gold medal game will see the U.S. face host nation France, a highly anticipated matchup reminiscent of their last encounter in the Tokyo Games, where the Americans triumphed 87-82.
U.S. Coach Steve Kerr stated, “It’s one of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of,” acknowledging Serbia’s impressive play. Joel Embiid’s contribution was significant, scoring 19 points on 8 for 11 shooting, while Curry’s remarkable scoring effort ranks as the second highest in Olympic history for a U.S. men’s player.
Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic led his team with 20 points, but the U.S. defense tightened in the crucial moments. A frantic fourth-quarter sequence saw Durant and Booker score back-to-back 3-pointers, shifting momentum and narrowing Serbia’s lead.
With this victory, the U.S. has guaranteed at least a medal in their 20th consecutive Olympic appearance. James praised the team’s resilience, stating, “Big-time win for us. We knew it was going to be the toughest game to date.”
This thrilling semifinal positions the U.S. one victory away from Olympic gold, as they look to reclaim their spot atop international basketball after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the World Cup last summer. As fans eagerly anticipate the final, the Americans are primed to continue their proud Olympic legacy.
