In what promises to be a highly anticipated farewell tour, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are likely making their final appearances at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The star-studded duo delivered an unforgettable performance in Team USA’s dominant 110-84 victory over Serbia in the Olympic opener. With such a high-stakes game, both players showcased their unique blend of skill and veteran poise, a grand display of why they have remained at the pinnacle of international basketball for so long.
Dynamic Duo Dominates
Combining for a total of 44 points on an incredible 17-of-22 shooting, James and Durant left little doubt about their form and fitness. LeBron James, in particular, was a whirlwind on the court, filling up the stat sheet with nine assists, eight rebounds, and 21 points. Durant, coming off the bench, unleashed his scoring prowess to turn the tide when Team USA found itself trailing by six points in the first quarter.
Durant’s performance was pivotal. His late first-quarter heroics transformed a six-point deficit into a five-point lead by the end of the quarter. By halftime, the James-Durant combo had seamlessly accumulated 33 points on a perfect 13-for-13 shooting, leaving the Serbian defense scrambling for answers.
Outstanding Supporting Cast
The brilliance of James and Durant was complemented by sensational shooting from their teammates. Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Edwards put on a three-point shooting clinic. Booker and Holiday were particularly efficient, each converting four of their five attempts from beyond the arc. Curry added three triples out of seven attempts, while Edwards made two of his three shots from distance. Overall, Team USA shot an impressive 62% from the field and 56% from three-point range.
Despite the star-studded performance, Jayson Tatum did not see any action in the game. Nevertheless, the depth and versatility displayed by Team USA left little room for concern regarding their future matchups in the tournament.
Serbia's Struggles
On the other side, Serbia, led by the formidable Nikola Jokic, struggled to keep pace with the relentless American offense. Serbia’s shooting woes were evident as they went just 9-for-37 from three-point range. The combination of defensive lapses and poor shooting ultimately handicapped their chances of mounting a serious challenge against the Americans.
A Fitting Tribute
If this indeed marks the final Olympic appearance for LeBron James and Kevin Durant, they are on the path to exit with a bang. Durant, already the all-time leading scorer for the USA in international play, continues to etch his name in the annals of basketball history. Meanwhile, LeBron’s all-round capabilities continue to leave a lasting impression on fans and foes alike.
The 2024 Paris Olympics may well serve as the grand stage upon which two of basketball’s all-time greats bid adieu to their international careers, but as their magnificent performance against Serbia shows, they are far from done rewriting the history books. Fans around the world can only wait in anticipation for what these living legends will deliver in the coming days.