The USA Men's Basketball team demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity in their semifinal clash against Serbia during the 2024 Olympics. In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the team overcame considerable adversity to clinch a 95-91 victory, earning their spot in the finals where they will face France for the gold medal.
Early Struggles and a Dramatic Comeback
For a significant portion of the game, it seemed that Serbia had the upper hand. The Serbian team, bolstered by standout performances from Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, held a commanding lead for over 35 of the 40 minutes of play. Nikola Jokic, playing almost the entire game, was instrumental with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists.
The USA found themselves in a precarious position, trailing by as much as 17 points at one juncture. As they entered the final quarter, they were staring at a 13-point deficit. However, the resolve and experience of their seasoned players began to shine through when it mattered most.
Veterans Take Charge
U.S. coach Steve Kerr, who had primarily used a deep rotation throughout the Olympics, decided to lean on his veterans in these crucial moments. "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 decision proved to be a masterstroke as the experienced lineup led an extraordinary resurgence.
The trio of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant exemplified their leadership and skill in the decisive moments. Stephen Curry put on a shooting clinic, knocking down nine 3-pointers, the second-most by a U.S. player in an Olympic game, and finished with a game-high 36 points.
LeBron James' Triple-Double Heroics
LeBron James was a pivotal force throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter. Playing the entire final period, James contributed six points, six rebounds, and four assists, culminating in his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. "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."
Defensive Stalwarts
On the defensive end, the USA intensified their efforts, disrupting Serbia's rhythm. The Serbians, who had been efficient from beyond the arc earlier in the game, missed all nine of their 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter. This defensive solidity was a cornerstone of the USA's monumental 32-15 run in the final quarter.
Key Rotations and Contributions
Steve Kerr made a crucial tactical move by substituting Joel Embiid for Anthony Davis early in the fourth quarter, which proved to be an effective decision. Except for this substitution, Kerr stuck with his experienced core until the final seconds. Derrick White, who played for 6:46 minutes during the game, unfortunately, saw a negative impact, with the USA being outscored by 16 points during his time on the floor.
Kevin Durant was another standout performer, being the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals. His consistency and contributions were invaluable in steering the team through challenging phases.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
This victory secured the USA's place in the gold medal game against France, poised to be another high-stakes encounter. The resilience, skill, and leadership displayed by the USA in their comeback against Serbia will undoubtedly be crucial as they aim to clinch Olympic glory once again.