In a dramatic turnaround, the USA men’s basketball team clinched a thrilling 95-91 victory over Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Olympics, booking their place in the gold medal game against France. The match was a testament to resilience and strategic brilliance, as the USA rallied from a daunting 17-point deficit to overpower Serbia in the final minutes.
Falling Behind Early
Serbia dominated the early stages, leading for over 35 of the 40 minutes. The USA found themselves in deep trouble, trailing by 13 points as they entered the final quarter. Nikola Jokic was a cornerstone of Serbia’s formidable performance, recording 17 points and a game-high 11 assists, while Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric showcased their sharpshooting prowess from 3-point range.
A Veteran's Masterclass
USA’s head coach, Steve Kerr, had to dig deep into his tactical repertoire. "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. Kerr made a pivotal decision to place his trust in seasoned players during the crunch moments, a strategy that ultimately paid off.
The Turnaround
Stephen Curry was a revelation, leading the USA's resurgence with a spectacular shooting display. Curry made nine 3-pointers, the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in Olympic history, and finished the game with a stunning 36 points. His offensive brilliance was complemented by LeBron James, who registered 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."
Sealing the Victory
Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker were pivotal in the final period, as the USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in the fourth quarter. Durant was the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals, indicating his significant impact on both ends of the court. Joel Embiid's inclusion in place of Anthony Davis, until the final seconds, added defensive solidity.
While Serbia missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the decisive fourth quarter, the USA capitalized on every misstep. The orchestrated efforts of Curry, James, Durant, Embiid, and Booker epitomized teamwork and composure under pressure.
A Look Ahead
The focus now shifts to the gold medal game against France, where the USA will aim to replicate their late-game heroics. Coach Kerr's strategic acumen and veteran players' experience will be crucial as they seek Olympic glory.