In a dramatic turn of events, Team USA pulled off a remarkable comeback to secure their place in the gold medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics, overcoming a daunting 15-point deficit to defeat Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals. The Americans, led by a sensational performance from Steph Curry, demonstrated resilience and tenacity in a game that seemed all but lost until the final quarter.
For three quarters, the game was anything but smooth for Team USA. Serbia, with the formidable presence of Nikola Jokic, took control early, surging ahead with a double-digit lead in the first quarter. By halftime, Serbia held a commanding 54-43 lead, with the U.S. struggling to find their rhythm. The situation worsened in the third quarter, where Serbia extended their lead to 76-61, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
However, the fourth quarter saw a completely different Team USA take the court. The Americans, known for their dominance in international basketball, dug deep to find the spark that had been missing for most of the game. Steph Curry, who finished with an impressive 36 points, including nine three-pointers, led the charge. His timely shots, coupled with crucial contributions from LeBron James and Kevin Durant, ignited a furious rally.
The turning point came with just over two minutes left in the game when Curry nailed a go-ahead three-pointer, putting Team USA ahead for the first time since the opening quarter. The U.S. outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final quarter, with LeBron James recording his second career Olympic triple-double, contributing 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kevin Durant, who had been quiet for much of the game, added seven of his nine total points in the decisive fourth quarter, while Joel Embiid chipped in 19 points to bolster the U.S. offense.
The game’s defining moment occurred during a chaotic sequence where the U.S. scored six points in just two seconds, a rare and electrifying feat that shifted the momentum entirely in their favor. Durant sank a three-pointer while Anthony Davis drew a foul, leading to an additional possession where Devin Booker drained another three-pointer, bringing the U.S. within striking distance.
Curry’s late-game heroics continued as he hit two critical free throws with just 8.2 seconds remaining, ensuring the U.S. victory and a spot in the final. The win was particularly sweet, considering the U.S. had already bested Serbia twice in prior matchups during the Olympic run, including a 105-79 exhibition victory and a 110-84 triumph in the preliminary round.
Now, the stage is set for a highly anticipated showdown against host nation France in the gold medal game, scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The French team, led by rising star Victor Wembanyama, earned their place in the final after a gritty 73-69 win over Germany in the other semifinal. This matchup is a rematch of the men’s basketball final from the Tokyo Olympics, where Team USA emerged victorious.
A victory for Team USA in the final would not only secure their fifth consecutive gold medal in men’s basketball but also make Kevin Durant the first player in history to win four Olympic gold medals in the sport. On the other hand, France is vying for their first-ever gold in men’s basketball, having previously won three silver medals, all in losses to the U.S. (1948, 2000, 2020). A French victory would also mark the first time a host nation has captured the gold medal in men’s basketball since the U.S. did so in Atlanta in 1996.
As the U.S. prepares for the final, Serbia will face Germany in the bronze medal game, with Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jokic, and Aleksa Avramovic looking to secure a podium finish after a valiant effort against the Americans.
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