Kevin Durant scored a game-high 23 points to lead Team USA to victory over Serbia, despite a strong performance from Nikola Jokic, who tallied 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Kevin Durant returned for Team USA after missing all five exhibition games and delivered a stunning 23-point performance to defeat Nikola Jokic's Serbia 110-84 in the Paris 2024 Olympics opener in Lille.
Initially questionable for the Olympic Basketball Tournament, Durant received last-minute clearance to play in the first game. He inspired Team USA to a first-half 21-6 run, scoring 14 points, and helped turn a 14-19 deficit into a 35-25 lead.
Durant, Team USA's all-time leading scorer, had 21 points in just 8:39 in the first half, going 5/5 from three-point range and 3/3 from two-point range.
He added 2 points in the second half, finishing with a game-high 23 points (8/9 FG, 2/2 FT) in almost 17 minutes. The U.S. squad won the third quarter 26-16 and never looked back.
LeBron James also arranged a vintage performance with a near triple-double of 21 points (8/10 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, and 9 assists over 27 minutes.
Meanwhile, reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic posted 20 points (7/9 2PT, 1/6 3PT, 3/4 FT), 5 rebounds, and 8 assists for Serbia. Bogdan Bogdanovic aided him with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
Historically, the USA is now 3-0 against Serbia, with previous wins during the 2016 Rio Olympics, including the final.
The United States is competing in its twenty-first Olympic Games, boasting an overall record of 138-5. The team has won 16 gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. Team USA has secured gold in the last four Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020) in men's basketball.
Team USA had a flawless run in the 2024 USA Basketball Showcase, finishing with a 5-0 record. They defeated Canada (86-72), Australia (98-92), Serbia (105-79), South Sudan (101-100), and Germany (92-88).
In their July 17 encounter, Team USA cruised to a commanding 105-79 victory over Serbia, led by 24 points from Stephen Curry.
Game highlights:
Team USA Basketball Olympics 2024 schedule
| Game | Time | Date | TV | Score |
| vs. Serbia | 5:15 p.m. CET/11:15 a.m. ET | July 28 | NBC/Peacock | 110-84 |
| vs. South Sudan | 9 p.m. CET/3 p.m. ET | July 31 | NBC/Peacock | TBD |
| vs. Puerto Rico | 5:15 p.m. CET/11:15 a.m. ET | August 3 | NBC/Peacock | TBD |
Serbia Basketball Olympics 2024 schedule
| Game | Time | Date | TV | Score |
| vs. Team USA | 6:15 p.m. CET/12:15 p.m. ET | July 28 | RTS/Peacock | 84-110 |
| vs. Puerto Rico | 6:15 p.m. CET/12:15 p.m. ET | July 31 | RTS/Peacock | TBD |
| vs. South Sudan | 9 p.m. CET/3 p.m. ET | August 3 | RTS/Peacock | TBD |
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