Kevin Durant will be in action for Team USA in their upcoming game against Serbia on Sunday, as confirmed by USA Basketball. Durant has been sidelined from all exhibition games leading up to the Paris Olympics due to a calf injury, making the opener his first appearance with this lineup.
Steve Kerr, Team USA’s head coach, expressed optimism the day before the game, stating he was “confident” that all 12 roster players would be available. This assurance comes despite Joel Embiid missing practice on Saturday and Anthony Davis missing earlier practices.
However, being “available” and being “ready to defend Nikola Jokic” are different challenges. Serbia, led by their three-time NBA MVP, is well-equipped to exploit any weaknesses in the American frontline. While Team USA dominated Serbia in a recent exhibition, Serbia has a history of competing fiercely against the U.S. and secured silver in the 2016 Olympics.
The primary concern for Kevin Durant is how many minutes he can handle given his recent injury. Although he was expected to be a starter for Team USA, his playing time remains uncertain. The starting lineup has yet to be announced, with Durant’s minutes potentially limited as he recovers. Team USA has already committed to LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid as starters, while the other positions varied during exhibitions.
Durant holds the title of Team USA’s all-time leading scorer in Olympic play and famously scored 30 points to lead the team to gold against Serbia in the 2016 Olympics. His return to the court will be crucial as Team USA aims to defend its title.
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