In a thrilling 2024 Olympic semifinal showdown, the USA men's basketball team secured their place in the gold medal game with a dramatic 95-91 victory over Serbia. This high-stakes match saw the USA stage a monumental comeback, overcoming a significant deficit to clinch their spot in the final against France.
A Game of High Stakes
The semifinal began with Serbia taking control early, leading for over 35 of the game's 40 minutes. The USA, trailing by as much as 17 points and beginning the final quarter down by 13, faced towering odds. Serbia's offensive firepower was led by Aleksa Avramovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Ognjen Dobric, who were particularly effective from beyond the arc.
Serbia's Nikola Jokic played nearly the entire game, contributing significantly with 17 points and a game-high 11 assists. Their deft ball movement and sharp shooting kept the USA's defense on its toes.
Coach Kerr's Strategic Adjustments
U.S. coach Steve Kerr, noted for utilizing a deep rotation throughout the Olympics, leaned heavily on his veterans in the crunch moments. "Having spent most of the Olympics playing a deep rotation, U.S. coach Steve Kerr relied heavily on his veterans with the game on the line," an observer noted.
The Comeback
The USA's fightback was spearheaded by none other than Stephen Curry, who delivered a masterclass performance. Curry was sensational, showcasing his range and precision by drilling nine 3-pointers—the second-most by a U.S. men's basketball player in an Olympic game. His outstanding contribution of 36 points kept the USA within striking distance.
LeBron James, equally pivotal, was everywhere in the decisive moments. Playing the entire fourth quarter, James posted six points, six rebounds, and four assists, helping him secure his second career Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. "James, meanwhile, was everywhere down the stretch. Playing the entire fourth quarter, he had six points, six rebounds and four assists and finished with his second career Olympics triple-double: 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists," detailed an account of his performance.
Executing the Fourth Quarter
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when the USA outscored Serbia 32-15. The lineup of Curry, James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Devin Booker proved too formidable for the Serbian team to handle. The defensive intensity ramped up notably, with Serbia, remarkably, missing all nine of their 3-point attempts in the final quarter.
Kerr's strategic substitution—bringing in Embiid for Anthony Davis—proved crucial. This allowed the USA to maintain a versatile and high-energy unit on the floor. Steve Kerr made only one substitution in the fourth quarter, indicating his confidence in the veteran group he relied on.
Derrick White’s minutes (6:46) were a low point for the USA, during which the team was outscored by 16 points. This statistic further illustrated the value of the final quarter lineup anchored by Kevin Durant, the only U.S. player with a positive plus-minus in the semifinals.
Looking Ahead
As the USA prepares for their gold medal showdown against France, the composition and strategy of Kerr's lineup in the fourth quarter of the semifinal will undoubtedly be a topic of analysis and discussion. With veterans displaying such poise under pressure, the team’s morale heading into the final game is undoubtedly bolstered by the phenomenal comeback they orchestrated against Serbia.