USA Clinches Spot in Olympic Finals with Dramatic Comeback Over Serbia
In an electrifying semifinal showdown at the 2024 Olympics, the USA men's basketball team staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Serbia with a 95-91 victory, securing their spot in the gold medal game against France.
Trailing by 17 points in the first half and down by 13 entering the final quarter, the USA team demonstrated immense resilience. Serbia, led by standout performances from Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, held the lead for over 35 of the 40 minutes of gameplay. Even Nikola Jokic, who played almost the entire game, showcased his prowess with 17 points and a leading 11 assists.
Serbia's dominance was evident as they executed efficiently, especially from the 3-point range, until a dramatic shift late in the game.
The Final Quarter Turnaround
With the game hanging in the balance, U.S. coach Steve Kerr made a decisive move, relying heavily on seasoned veterans. "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," an observer noted. This closing lineup, featuring Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker, orchestrated an incredible resurgence.
Stephen Curry was particularly instrumental in the comeback, making nine 3-pointers—a feat that ranks as the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in Olympic history. Curry's shooting spree culminated in a game-high 36 points.
LeBron James, the embodiment of versatility, recorded his second career Olympic triple-double. "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," an account highlighted.
The collective efforts of the U.S. team saw them outscore Serbia 32-15 in the fourth quarter. Crucially, Serbia missed all nine of their 3-point attempts during this final stretch, a stark contrast to their earlier accuracy.
Strategic Moves and Key Players
Kerr's strategic acumen was on full display. His only substitution in the fourth quarter was bringing in Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis until the closing seconds. Derrick White's brief stint on the court saw the USA outscored by 16 points in just 6 minutes and 46 seconds, underscoring the importance of the veterans' presence in clutch moments.
Kevin Durant stood out with the only positive plus-minus on the U.S. side during the semifinals, further emphasizing his impact amid the high-stakes environment.
This thrilling comeback secured the USA's place in the gold medal matchup against a formidable France team, promising yet another chapter in Olympic basketball lore.