One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the Olympics didn't quite live up to its expectations. After a slow start, Team USA surged to a dominant 110-84 win over Serbia. The strong start sets the team up well for the rest of the group stage, and gives it a confidence boost after a near-loss to South Sudan ahead of the games.
Despite trailing early, the U.S. came back largely due to 23 points from Kevin Durant, who returned after being sidelined for most of camp with a calf injury. Durant went a perfect 5 for 5 from beyond the arc and changed the dynamic of the game when he came on in the first quarter, scoring 21 points in the first half alone. LeBron James also had a dominant game with 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
If only David Stern could've seen the show. The late NBA commissioner's dream of growing the highest levels of basketball far outside of the United States' borders couldn't be more evident than the reigning, three-time NBA MVP heading into the opening game of his Olympics tournament to face Team USA. But Nikola Jokić couldn't carry Serbia to victory on Sunday. The Denver Nuggets big man scored 20 points for his home nation, but could not make a dent in the United States' second-half lead.
James, Durant and the rest of Team USA's future Hall of Famers will continue on in Paris, facing South Sudan and Puerto Rico in the group stage. The team is looking for an eighth gold medal in nine tries since the Dream Team first featured NBA players at the Olympics in 1992.
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Kari Anderson
Final: USA 110, Serbia 84
The U.S. gets a resounding win over Serbia to start off the Olympic group stage.
Kevin Durant, who is Team USA's all-time leading scorer in men's basketball, continues to add to his tally. He now has more than 450 points in an American uniform.
The U.S. will face South Sudan, who nearly beat them in an exhibition match, on Wednesday. South Sudan had their own win on Sunday, beating Puerto Rico 90-79.
Team USA's biggest problem against South Sudan was hitting their shots, but that wasn't a problem today: The U.S. went 62% on field goals, and 56% on three-pointers out of 32 attempts.
Kari Anderson
Even with the dominant win, LeBron James isn't satisfied: The veteran said postgame that there's still more to do, and that they need to work on turnovers. The U.S. had 17 turnovers, with Serbia scoring 25 points off of the Americans' errors.
"We'll be better coming up on Wednesday," James said.
“We’ll be better coming up on Wednesday.”
LeBron James says Team USA can still improve after a dominant win in their #ParisOlympics opener.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 28, 2024
Kari Anderson
Despite his best efforts — and his 20 points — big man Nikola Jokić was unable to lift Serbia over the U.S. on his own. Bogdan Bogdanovic adds 14 points and Ognjen Dobric chips in 13 points for the Serbian team in the loss.
Jay Busbee
Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic didn’t stop to take questions in the mixed zone after the game. LeBron James and Steph Curry were full of praise for KD, who said he was still trying to get his wind back after his first game since the playoffs.
It's a true group effort for Team USA, as Kevin Durant leads the team with 23 points — going 5-for-5 on three-pointers — and LeBron James pitches in a near-triple-double with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Jrue Holiday gets 15 points, Devin Booker gets 12 points, and Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards get 11 each.
Nikola Jokić looks pretty bummed (and tired) on the bench as Serbia takes a timeout. The Nuggets big man has 20 points in nearly 30 minutes on the floor, but has been unable to chip away at the U.S.'s lead.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Steph is having himself some fun.
Steph Curry is having the time of his life after this Anthony Edwards bucket. 😂 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 28, 2024
Kari Anderson
The U.S. is up 91-73 with five left in the fourth quarter, and things have continued to groove. LeBron James and Kevin Durant will be the story of this game, but Edwards, Holiday and Curry have chipped in some points of their own.
Kari Anderson
End of 3Q: USA 84, Serbia 65
Team USA is running away with it now. They're now up 84-65 heading into the fourth quarter.
Durant currently leads the team with 23 points, and LeBron James is holding up with 18 points. The U.S. bench is loving it.
Beautiful pass from James to a wide-open Jrue Holiday, followed by a great assist from Steph Curry to a James layup. Team USA is finding a groove; can they keep it up?
69-57, U.S.
Jay Busbee
Serbian fans REALLY don't like Joel Embiid, raining down thundering boos and whistles every time he touches the ball or is shown onscreen. He's given the flagrant foul instead of James for taking down (holding up?) a Serbian player in the lane.
Kari Anderson
Stoppage to sort things out after a scuffle between Aleksa Avramovic and LeBron James. Serbia is calling for a flagrant; we'll see what the referees say.
Kari Anderson
LeBron James gets an easy layup to start the second half and we're off! Jrue Holiday adds in a three-pointer and the U.S. is starting things off well. 63-51, Team USA.
Kari Anderson
Durant's perfect half in his return has been crucial for the U.S. — and is especially impressive given that he played less than nine minutes in the half. If he keeps it up, a victory should be well in hand.
ZERO missed shots for Kevin Durant in the first half.
Kevin Durant is making it rain in Paris. He's 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and has 21 points as the game heads into the break. He finishes with a pretty falling fadeaway at the buzzer to put the U.S. up 9 points. What a difference he makes when he's in the lineup.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Just like that, Serbia has cut it down to 46-44 with an 8-0 run of its own that included a 4-point play from Ognjen Dobric.
Yahoo Sports Staff
LeBron James and KD are both in double figures now for the U.S. as they pull back out to a 10-point lead.
We're at the midway point in the second quarter and Jokić is starting to settle in. He has 12 points and 3 assists as Serbia has cut it to 40-36.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Make that 14 points for Kevin Durant. He's 4-for-4 from deep, and he made that last 3-pointer with three-time MVP Nikola Jokić right in his face.
Yahoo Sports Staff
The Americans have taken a 32-23 lead early in the second quarter. That makes it an 18-3 run between the two quarters. Kevin Durant has found his rhythm and has 11 points since being subbed on.
Kari Anderson
End of Q1: USA 25, Serbia 20
Anthony Davis gets his second foul, and gets subbed out. LeBron James checks back in.
Anthony Edwards gets a huge dunk to send the U.S. into the second quarter with a 25-20 lead.
Kari Anderson
Another Durant three, and USA takes the 23-20 lead.
Kari Anderson
Kevin Durant has checked in for the U.S., after missing practices and exhibitions with a minor calf injury. It doesn't take long for him to drain a three and get the USA back into the groove. They've certainly missed him.
Anthony Edwards hits a three to get the U.S. back even with Serbia, 20-20.
Jay Busbee
The Serbian crowd is very vocal here on the ground in Paris. It must feel like playing in an opposing college arena for Team USA. They've shaken off the slow start at least and have taken their first lead of the game.
Kari Anderson
James gets an and-one, and USA is finally ahead, 14-12.
Kari Anderson
Curry drains a three, and it's a welcome momentum shift for the U.S.
After some back and forth, Booker gets a three of his own to bring USA within one point.
Kari Anderson
A hearty LeBron James dunk gets Team USA its first points, but Serbia looks dominant, pulling to a 10-2 lead before the U.S. is forced to take a timeout.
Team USA's FIRST points of the #ParisOlympics courtesy of LeBron James! 🔥
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 28, 2024
Kari Anderson
Things aren't off to a great start for the reigning Olympic gold medalists, as Serbia gets up to a 4-0 lead. Joel Embiid — still getting booed by the French crowd — misses two free throws to keep the U.S. scoreless.
Kari Anderson
Team USA announces its starting five
The U.S. will start with Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid in he lineup.
Steph leads the U.S. onto the court and begins a layup-rebound line. It's an interesting, circular contrast to the left-to-right warmups of Serbia. @ArtButSports would be all over this. pic.twitter.com/G6OHKVg399
Serbia enters first, running halfcourt-to-end line jogs, drills, knee lifts and kicks. Jokic is one of the slowest. Maximum energy conservation. Masterful gambit.
Just in time for Team USA to face Serbia on Sunday, they got some positive news about one of their stars. Kevin Durant, who missed all five of Team USA's pre-Olympics exhibition games with a sore calf, has been cleared to play in the opening game.
After missing camp and exhibition games due to calf injury, Kevin Durant has been cleared for action in Team USA’s Olympic opener vs. Serbia today. pic.twitter.com/aZ5mN5QpFo