USA Men Come Out Strong With Opening Olympic Win Over Serbia

28 July 2024

USA 110, Serbia 84

View the USA-Serbia box score here.

The American Men made their 2024 Paris Games debut and opened up group play with a 110-84 win over Serbia. The U.S. is now 3-0 against Serbia after the two teams met twice during the 2016 Olympic Games.

In their 20th Olympics, USA Basketball holds a 139-5 overall record and is 30-1 since 2004. The U.S. have medaled in every Olympics in which they’ve participated.

Starting Out: Coach Steve Kerr went to the starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James and Joel Embiid. The 5 started together three times during the USA Basketball Showcase (vs. Canada, vs. South Sudan, vs. Germany). Curry, James and Embiid started all five exhibition games. The starters contributed 63 of the team’s 110 points against Serbia.

Turn Back Time: In 2016, the U.S. and Serbia met in group play and the gold medal match. The two went down to the wire in group play with the Americans taking a 94-91 edge. In a rematch in the gold medal contest, the U.S. cruised to a 96-66 victory. Led by 30 points from Kevin Durant, the USA outscored Serbia 33-14 in the second quarter to blow open the contest.

Tonight, the U.S. put their stamp on the game late in the second quarter. The Americans held a three point lead (50-47) with 1:14 left before Durant (5) and Anthony Edwards (3) combined for 8 points to put the U.S. ahead by nine (58-49). The U.S. led by eight or more the rest of the way and outscored Serbia 52-35 in the second half.

Game of Percentages: The U.S. finished the game shooting 62.3% (43-69) from the field and 56.3% (18-32 3FG) from 3-point territory. Tonight was the first time since August 6, 2012 (51.3%, 20-39 3FG vs. Argentina), that a USA Men’s Olympic squad shot over 50% from deep.

Easy Money: Durant, the USA’s all-time leading Olympic scorer, was turnkey for the Americans after checking into the game late in the first quarter. The team trailed 14-19 when he entered the game but ended the opening frame on an 11-1 run behind 6 points (2-2 3FG) from Durant. He took over in the second, scoring 15 points to finish the first half with 21 points (8-8 FG, 5-5 3FG) in 9 minutes played.

He finished with 23 points (8-9 FG, 5-5 3FG, 2-2 FT) and 2 rebounds in 17 minutes. He became the first player in USA Basketball history to shoot 100% from 3 with 5+ attempts.

Heavy Is The Head: James was an all-around force for the USA in his Olympic return. He opened the game with 12 points (5-5 FG, 1-1 3FG, 1-1 FT) in the first half.

He ended the game with 21 points (9-13 FG), 7 rebounds and a team-best 9 assists in a team-high 27 minutes.

Returners and Olympic Debuts: Curry, Edwards, Embiid and Derrick White made their Olympic debuts while Embiid made his USA Basketball competition debut. He recorded 4 points and 2 rebounds in 11 minutes.

Curry returned from a long international hiatus, as his most recent USA Basketball competitive participation was when he won gold at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. He finished with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3FG), 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Edwards (11 points, 5 rebounds, 19 minutes) was a member of the 2023 Men’s National Team during the FIBA World Cup, while White (2 points, 1 assist, 16 minutes) participated at the 2019 rendition.