USA Defeats Serbia in Dramatic Semifinal Comeback
The 2024 Olympics men's basketball semifinal between the USA and Serbia delivered an unforgettable spectacle as the USA edged out a narrow 95-91 victory to clinch their spot in the gold medal game. Trailing by as much as 17 points at one stage, the USA's astounding fourth-quarter resurgence saw them overturn a 13-point deficit to set up a thrilling finale against France.
For over 35 of the 40 minutes, Serbia maintained control, with standout performances from Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, who consistently scored from 3-point range. Nikola Jokic was particularly influential, playing nearly the entire game and ending the night with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists.
Despite Serbia's dominance, USA's head coach Steve Kerr remained composed, choosing to trust his seasoned veterans when it mattered most. "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 proved decisive as the USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final quarter.
The critical closing lineup featured NBA legends Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker. Curry was instrumental, scoring an astounding 36 points, including nine 3-pointers. His performance marked the second-most 3-pointers made by a U.S. men's basketball player in the Olympics. Likewise, Durant contributed significantly, finishing as the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus for the game.
James, meanwhile, showcased his all-around excellence, particularly down the stretch. "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." His formidable display added crucial momentum to the USA's epic comeback.
Apart from James and Curry, Embiid was pivotal in the fourth quarter, coming in as Steve Kerr's only substitution to replace Anthony Davis until the final seconds. The impact of these strategic moves was clear as Serbia missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter, succumbing to the relentless pressure applied by the USA's experienced lineup.
Derrick White's limited minutes were a rare low point for the team. During his 6:46 on the court, the USA was outscored by 16 points, underscoring the importance of Kerr's decision to lean on his star players.
As the USA team now looks ahead to the gold medal clash with France, the thrilling victory over Serbia serves as a testament to their resilience and strategic acumen. The combination of veteran star power and calculated coaching adjustments has positioned them favorably as they aim to secure Olympic gold.