Kevin Durant made a remarkable return from injury as he led the United States to a 110-84 victory over Serbia in the men’s preliminary round group C basketball match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Despite missing the entire Olympic build-up due to a calf injury, Durant showcased his shooting prowess by scoring 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field. The 35-year-old, who is a member of the USA’s gold medal-winning teams in 2012, 2016, and 2021, helped his team secure a convincing win in their quest for a fifth straight Olympic crown.
LeBron James also made a significant contribution to the team’s victory with 21 points, while Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker added 15 and 12 points, respectively. On the other side, Denver star Nikola Jokic led the scoring for Serbia with 20 points. The USA, with a squad filled with NBA stars such as James, Durant, and Stephen Curry, are considered as the overwhelming favorites to win the Olympic crown and have started their campaign on a strong note with a dominant performance against Serbia.
Despite a fast start from Serbia, the entry of Durant into the game shifted the momentum in favor of the Americans. Durant’s flawless shooting display and overall performance helped the USA maintain a lead throughout the game. The American team, under the coaching of Steve Kerr, is expected to continue their strong form as they face South Sudan and Puerto Rico in their upcoming group games. With the knockout rounds set to take place in Paris, the USA looks poised to go all the way and secure another Olympic title.
Durant’s resilience in the face of physicality from the Serbian players was evident as he shrugged off a body check to lead his team to victory. His ability to take the game over with his scoring prowess has once again highlighted his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With his leadership and skill set, Durant will be a crucial player for the USA as they aim to clinch another gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The combination of Durant, James, and other NBA stars on the team makes the USA a formidable force to reckon with in the basketball competition.
