The USA men's basketball team displayed an extraordinary comeback in the 2024 Olympic semifinal against Serbia, securing their place in the gold medal game with a stunning 95-91 victory. Trailing by 17 points at one crucial point and entering the final quarter down by 13, the American team demonstrated resilience and exceptional skill to clinch the win.
Serbia Dominates Early
Serbia dominated the court for the majority of the game, leading for over 35 of the 40 minutes. Nikola Jokic was instrumental for Serbia, playing almost the entire game and finishing with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists. His teammates, Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, were effective from the 3-point range, pushing Serbia to an impressive lead.
USA's Difficult Start
The U.S. team found itself in a deep hole, with Derrick White's time on the court being particularly challenging; during his 6:46 minutes of play, the USA was outscored by 16 points. However, this setback set the stage for a dramatic turnaround led by the team's seasoned veterans.
Kerr Trusts His 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. This strategic shift paid off handsomely.
"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," noted one observer.
In the final quarter, Kerr's trust in his veteran lineup was evident as he made only one substitution, bringing Joel Embiid in for Anthony Davis. This decision proved crucial as the USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in that decisive period.
Stephen Curry’s Heroics
Leading the charge was Stephen Curry, whose sharp shooting kept the USA's aspirations alive. Curry made nine 3-pointers in the game, the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics, contributing a staggering 36 points to the team's total.
LeBron James’ All-Round Performance
LeBron James also played a pivotal role, securing his second career Olympic triple-double. James filled every corner of the stat sheet with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His performance in the clutch was particularly noteworthy.
"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," reported an account of his performance.
Key Contributions from Durant and Others
Kevin Durant was another standout, being the only U.S. player to finish with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals. The strategic inclusion of veterans like Curry, James, and Durant along with Joel Embiid and Devin Booker turned the tide decisively in the USA's favor in the critical final minutes.
Serbia's Struggles in the Fourth Quarter
As the USA found its rhythm, Serbia struggled to maintain their earlier momentum. Remarkably, Serbia missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, a stark contrast to their earlier efficiency and a testament to the defensive adjustments made by the USA.
As the clock wound down, the USA's composed execution under pressure was a decisive factor in the narrow but thrilling victory. This triumph not only secured their place in the gold medal game but also underscored the importance of experience, cohesion, and strategic adjustments in high-stakes encounters.
With the semifinal now behind them, the USA will shift their focus to the upcoming gold medal game against France, bringing the excitement and anticipation of Olympic basketball to its peak.