Serbia - USA basketball summary: score, stats and highlights | 2024 Olympics in Paris
Team USA has a lot of weapons
If anyone was hoping for an upset tonight, we imagine they are sorely disappointed. Not only did Team USA come out with the win, but they dominated Serbia as is clearly evidenced by the 84-110 score.
Yet, it would be unfair not to credit Nikola Jokic and his men who kept things relatively tight in the first half, albeit not where Kevin Durant was concerned. Indeed, Durant had an almost perfect night, scoring 8-of-9 from the field and 5-of-5 from beyond the arc for a total of 23 points and two rebounds. Truthfully, the defense of the perimeter is where Serbia began to show cracks as they failed on several occasions to close down the American threat from distance, and we all know Team USA can shoot. Whether it was the on fire Durant, the legendary Steph Curry who was relatively quiet on the night, or Jrue Holiday who contributed with some time threes of his own, the point is that it didn't go well.
This brings us to the second half, where the Serbians who can be considered a solid group of players, began to show some not so strong legs. Indeed, one could argue that it was their collective loss of steam that sealed their fate in the 3rd and 4th quarters. That's definitely something they will want to look at going forward.
As for Team USA, it would be safe to say that their tournament favorite status is still very much in tact.
Remember KD
At the risk of sounding like a stuck record. Kevin Durant was something to behold tonight. Indeed, we've got to imagine that the Serbians won't keeping fond memories of him when they review.
As if on queue, Steph Curry with an absolute dagger to the heart. Unnecessary if we're honest. With that, the contest comes to an end and the Americans have got their first win of the Olympics in Paris.
We're inside the final 20 seconds and Team USA will bring it up after a Bogdanovic miss.
LeBron has seen enough as he takes it to the hole, gets fouled, and nails the shot. Oh, and also the one from the line.
So to does Bogdanovic.
As we close in on the final minute Marinkovic reminds us that he too can shoot.
Booker again answers the call, this time from beyond the arc and with that, the Serbs have seen enough. It's a timeout with the score standing at 79-101. It would be fair to say this one is basically over.
A smooth move from Booker after getting the rebound, he unleashes Holiday who gets the easy 2.
The back and forth is starting to take a toll on Serbian legs as we've seen with two consecutive giveaways. To be fair the Americans have done the same, but they're sitting on a 79-96 lead.
We're approaching the end of this Group C opener and it's beginning to look more and more like a Team USA win, though Bogdanovic answers with a three.
Off the break, Marinkovic nails a three in LeBron's face.We're at 76-91.
A clear giveaway from Serbia as they bring it up, only to see Team USA do the exact same.
Steph Curry with a crisp floating shot for two. The Americans are pulling away.
Unforunately, Holiday answers with a three of his own and we're back to 73-89
A three from Micic brings some degree of hope to the affair. We're at 73-86. Even better, Jokic follows that up with a steal and a quick pass for another Micic bucket.
There seems to be quite a bit of untidy play on both sides, but it's Jokic who finally restores parity with a floating shot in the paint. It's 68-86 and we've got a timeout.
After a scramble in the middle, there's an alley oop attempt for Molutinov but he's fouled in the process. He goes to the line where he manages to score 1 of 2.
Kevin Durant misses his first shot of the night...crazy...
Bam gives the Americans the first bucket of the quarter with a forceful jam after a pass from Davis.
We're back at it in the quarter that counts and it's the Americans who get us off and running, though neither team is able to score after the opening exchanges.
That's a wrap for the third as Jovic tosses it at the basket down court. The teams head to the bench with the score currently sitting at 65-84.
After some back and forth with misses on both ends, Anthony Edwards essentially dances around his marker to score the final bucket of the quarter.
Yet another failed attempt from distance by Serbia and this time it's Bam Adebayo who benefits on the other end. The distance is growing between the teams with the score now 65-82 in the Americans' favor.
Kevin Durant is fouled and makes both from the line meaning his perfect shooting continues on the night.
Jokic is off for the moment but we've got Jovic at the line and he manages to score both. 65-78
Following a quick two by Derrick White, Jokic attempts to get going and though he finds Jovic, his shot is blocked.
LeBron James with the alley oop from way outside to Anthony Davis who is fouled in the process and proceeds to drain it from the line.
Kevin Durant has checked back into the game....
A great pick by Jokic in the paint leads to a Serbia break but they are unable to convert due to a foul. Dobric will go to the line where he drains one.
A foul by Booker after the restart and Micic goes to the line where he manages to sink just 1. Serbia trail 60-73.
It appears LeBon Jmes got the memo. A crafty steal and then a break to the other end and a layup in traffic. That's why they call him King.
Jokic gets a difficult look but he's able to make it. The only problem Anthony Davis responds at the other end with a quick 2 of his own.
Curry with the rebound and immediate pass to James who gets the layup. 57-69.
James with the no-look bullet pass to Holiday under the hoop. Doesn't get better than that and we're back to a 10-point lead.
Embiid misses and Serbia breaks for a quick 2. On the return LeBron James is called for charging and the Serbian bench is feeling it! Serbia's ball with the score at 55-65.
Curry is hounded and it ends up with the ball out of bounds. The Americans are moving the ball extremely well and it ends with a difficult fade-away and the foul. He will go to the line.
It's back to back stuff now but Avramovic is blocked by Embiid on route to the basket. It's Team USA's ball.
It's Avramovic who has gone to the line and he's made both. It's a ten-point game at 53-63 but Serbia miss the three-point attempt after stealing the ball back and making a break.
There also appears to have been a foul before Embiid's that was committed by LeBron James. There's likely some form of punishment forthcoming based on the replays that we're seeing. James is being called for 'active violence.
A miss from James is followed by a quick break but we've got a heavy foul committed by Embiid on Avramovic. There will be a review.
Following a Jokic miss from distance it's Jrue Holiday who gets himself one from beyond the arc. Apparently Serbia hasn't learned the lesson of the first half.
LeBron James gets us going with a quick 2 and it's 49-60 in the Americans' favor.
And away we go once again!
To punctuate the point
Another look at the numbers that Kevin Durant has put up in the first half. As the previous post stated, 'ridiculous'.
Serbia are still in this
If there are any takeaways from the first half it's that this game has largely been decided by individual performances, primarily that of Kevin Durant. Indeed, we're it not for the Suns' stars incredible contribution, this game would likely have a very different look to it.
That said, Serbia will have to do a much better job of defending the perimeter. Whether it's been Durant's sharp shooting, or the penetrating passes that Team USA has been dishing from beyond the arc, the end result has been the same.
If Jokic and Co. can address that in the second half, they'll probably have a shot at winning this game. Of course, it would be fair to say that's a big "if".
Kevin Durant is a problem...
If it wasn't already abundantly clear, the former MVP (2019) is as good as it gets, something Serbia will want to keep in mind in the 2nd half if they are to get anything out of this contest.
We're back at it and it will be the Americans who close out the final 3 seconds with another Kevin Durant fadeaway jumper at the buzzer no less! Halftime here in Paris folks but stay with us!
Team USA will bring it up the court for the final seconds but Anthony Edwards - the man with the rock - is fouled by Bogdanovic. We've got a review.
Kevin Durant didn't like that apparently and that's another three from the big man. He's not letting up tonight.
It's back and forth now as Bogdanovic gets two baskets in a row.
A Jrue Holiday steal and in for a solo layup.
We're approaching the end of the quarter and that's Kevin Durant doing what he does once again. An easy two in the end.
A Jokic steal followed by some slick movement and a great layup from Micic to make it a two point game. 44-46.
Unfortunately for Curry, he's the culprit on the other end as he fouls Dobric in the process of sinking a three of his own. It's 40-46.
That's Curry with a big one from distance to make it a ten-point game.
Again some top tier defense as the Serbs stop Team USA, but they're unable to score and so to is Serbia on the counter. We're at 36-43.
Serbia is defending tooth and nail but apparently not enough to stop LeBron from draining a three. That's a problem.
That's a big three from Jokic and in the face of Joel Embiid no less. We're at 36-40 now with the Serbians making a run.
Jokic is fouled but makes the shot. The big man goes to the line and drains them both. We're at 33-40 in the Americans' favor.
After some quick passing around the perimeter, LeBron is put in for an easy jam and it's a 10-point game. 40-30
Jokic gets a heavy foul from Embiid and goes to the line but is only able to score one.
Joel Embiid having just checked in gets a dish from Curry and is able to sink his first 2 of the night.
A beautiful pass from LeBron James to Anthony Edwards in the paint. The latter is fouled for his trouble and goes to the line where he makes both. It's 36-27!
Kevin Durant just can't stop scoring from beyond the arc. That's his 4th for the night.
Serbia get us off and running again and it's Micic with a difficult shot from mid range. The Serbs follow that up with a quick steal but fail to capitalize and give it up once again.
LeBRon James with another smooth move through the paint for a slick lay up. That's 32-23 for the Americans.
At some point the Serbians are going to have to mark Kevin Durant tighter as he seems to have no problems lighting them up from beyond the arc. That's 30-23 after another smooth one from the Suns' star.
Micic answers with a three and it's now 27-23!
Off we go again and Serbia immediately attempt a three-pointer through Jovic but he doesn't get it to go, only to see Kevin Durant sink a fade away at the other end. 27-20.
That's a wrap for the first quarter and the Americans lead 25-20 in what's been a relatively even game so far, with Serbia more or less giving as good as they've gotten. That said, they will want to tighten up on the perimeter as Team USA has made them pay so far.
James is back in the fold and Serbia will have it but it's stolen by James only to have it stolen back. Unfortunately in the scramble Serbia lose it and it ends with an Anthony Edwards dunk!
We're almost through with the first quarter and that's Kevin Durant with another dagger from outside. 20-23 in favor of the U.S.A.!
A heavy foul from Micic on Kevin Durant resulting in both tumbling to the ground. We've got a review of the play by the referees. Micic looks like he body checked Durant and that oculd be a problem.
The Americans are employing a full-court press and it appears to be working as Jokic is denied in the paint after a the struggle to get him the ball. We're still tied at 20 a piece.
Anthony Edwards follows up Durant's effort with another from beyond the arc and we've got a tied game as Serbia calls a timeout.
Kevin Durant has checked into the game to massive cheers and immediately goes to work with a huge three pointer. It's 20-17 in Serbia's favor.
Bogdanovic with an impressive drive to the basket for 2. That's 17-14 Serbia. Actually make that 19-14 after a steal and another Bogdanovic bucket.
We've got a change with Bam Adebayo entering for LeBron James. Even Kings need to rest.
LeBron James with a coast to coast move, showing why he's considered the greatest there is. He'll go to the line for a possible three after making the layup.
That's another three from Booker after some lovely play by Jrue Holiday who drew two defenders. We're now at 12-11 Serbia!
Devin Booker with another three following a tough Jokic layup, the Americans are beginning to find their rhythm.
Curry doing what he does best from beyond the arc and we've got ourselves a 3! it's 10-5!
Serbia have started off hot with a flush of plays taking it to 10-2 following a LeBron James breakaway dunk. Kerr has called for a timeout and probably rightly so!
Joel Embiid is fouled in the paint and will go to the line where he misses both. Serbia bring it up but quickly lose it to LeBron James.
Serbia with another quick two on the inside to take it to 4-0
And away we go! It's Serbia who draws first blood after a slick layup for 2.
It's time for tip off
With tip off now just a few minutes away, we can definitely say we're excited. Be sure to stay with us as we take you through the action play by play. It's Serbia vs U.S.A. Let's go!
King James is ready
There is no doubt as to who Team USA will be looking to as they try to secure a victory in their opening game of the 2024 Paris Olympics against a solid Serbian side. Stay with us!
KD is back!
That's very good news for Team USA but not so much for Serbia. The Hall of Famer undoubtedly brings greater versatility to a roster that is already stacked.
It's almost time...
We're now less than an hour away from tip off and we can't wait. Where predictions are concerned, most will likely be favoring the Americans to win, but again, it would be a mistake to outrightly dismiss the Serbians.
Led by their obvious star, Nikola Jokic, the Eastern Europeans will have no reason to fear Team USA, knowing full well they are more than capable of giving what they get.
At this point, we're not going to call a result but we can say that should the Americans win, it won't be a victory that comes easily.
We're expecting fireworks in this one
It's the NBA's current best player against the man many say is the best in history. Oh and there is also the matter of Serbia vs USA. Stay with us for this one because it's gonna be lit!
The last time they met
While it was clearly just an exhibition game, one has to consider that it was less than two weeks ago. That's to say, it's not a bad indicator as to what we can expect from both teams.
On the other hand, the fact that this evening's game will be about a whole lot more than bragging rights is likely to make a significant difference. Stay tuned!
Something to consider...
While they may not have the ethnic diversity that we see in the other teams in the tournament, it would be a mistake to think that the Serbians don't know how to play ball. Even more so when you consider that they are led by the NBA's current MVP, Nikola Jokic.
As strange as it sounds, he did indeed and then proceeded to question whether Team USA has what it takes to win a gold medal against a much improved international field. Strange words, it seems to us, for a player who only recently stepped into the American framework.
Steph, that's just silly...
Not that we needed a reminder that the Warriors star is the greatest shooter we've ever seen, but just in case, here's one...
Team USA's basketball stars spread the love
It's not everyday you get to meet basketball's biggest stars but to be fair, it's not everyday you get to meet Team USA's youngest ever track Olympian. Sounds like a fair trade to us.
This is gonna be good
We're now just about three hours away from tip off and to be perfectly honest, the excitement is real. The Americans of course will come into the contest as heavy favorites, but there are two things that can't be denied.
Firstly, the Team USA has not been playing at full strength and to be frank, it has shown. Not only did they narrowly escape South Sudan in a pre-tournament exhibition game, they appeared to struggle against the team they will face tonight as well in their final game before the Olympics began.
That's not to say it will be the same this Sunday evening as we're now talking about a game that counts, but something tells us we're in for some twists and turns.
Get up to speed on Team USA
Welcome Welcome Welcome
We've got an exciting Sunday in store for basketball fans as Team USA will be getting underway in Paris with a tricky game against a solid Serbia team that boasts the NBA's reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic.
Of course, it's not like the Americans don't have an absolutely stacked roster themselves with the likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Anthony Davis set to take the court, and that's just a few of the names.
Yet, it's got to be said that unlike previous editions of the Summer Games which have seen the Americans dominate, winning 16 gold medals to date, there is every indication that it will be anything but smooth sailing in the French capital. Indeed, with a wealth of stars spread around the world in the modern game, the field has never been more level when it comes to international play.
To that end, we invite you to stay with us as we take you through each and every play, in what should be an intense contest between two of the tournament's top teams.