Steph Curry delivered a vintage performance to lead Team USA to a dramatic 95-91 comeback victory over Serbia on Thursday at Bercy Arena, securing their spot in the gold medal game at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. With France awaiting them in the final on Saturday, Curry’s explosion couldn’t have come at a better time.
Curry started the game on fire and never cooled down, torching Serbia’s defense with 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including nine 3-pointers. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Coming into the semifinals, Curry had been relatively quiet, averaging just 7.3 points across four games and scoring a total of 29 points. But when Team USA needed a spark, Curry delivered, hitting a clutch 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining to give the Americans the lead for good. Team USA outscored Serbia 32-15 in a dominant fourth quarter to complete the comeback.
LeBron James was instrumental as well, notching a triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Joel Embiid added 19 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting. Team USA had trailed by as many as 17 points, and their largest lead before the fourth quarter was just two points, making their late surge all the more impressive.
Here are three key takeaways from Team USA’s thrilling victory:
1. The Steph Show Takes Center Stage
After a quiet start to the Olympics, Steph Curry finally broke out in a big way. Known for his shooting prowess, Curry had been playing a more reserved role in the earlier games, often serving as a facilitator and decoy. But against Serbia, he was unleashed from the start. A jumper from Curry opened the scoring, setting the tone for what would be a historic performance.
Serbia’s balanced scoring attack initially outpaced Team USA, but Curry was the one keeping the Americans within striking distance. By the time the first quarter ended, Curry had already scored 17 points—more than his total in any previous game of the tournament. He had made five 3-pointers in that quarter alone, compared to just five total across the first four games.
Despite Curry’s heroics, Team USA trailed by 11 points at halftime, largely due to a lack of support from his teammates, who had combined for just 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting. However, Curry’s 16 second-half points were crucial, and his nine 3-pointers tied for one of the greatest shooting performances in Team USA’s Olympic history.
2. The Big Three: Curry, James, and Durant Deliver
In a move that showcased the depth of Team USA’s star power, head coach Steve Kerr put Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant on the floor together to start the fourth quarter. The trio of future Hall of Famers played the entire quarter, turning the tide in Team USA’s favor.
James, at 39 years old, showed no signs of slowing down, contributing across the board and ensuring Team USA didn’t miss the gold medal game for the first time since 2004, when he was a 19-year-old Olympic rookie. Durant, after a quiet first half where he took just one shot, scored seven of his eight points in the fourth quarter, proving why he’s considered one of the greatest American basketball players ever.
3. Joel Embiid Outshines Nikola Jokic
The matchup between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, who have accounted for the last four NBA MVP awards, was a highly anticipated subplot of the game. Embiid, whose fit and conditioning with Team USA had been questioned, answered his critics with a strong performance, outplaying Jokic when it mattered most.
Embiid finished with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including two of three from beyond the arc, and was a +15 in his 19 minutes on the court. Jokic, while still productive with 17 points and 11 assists, struggled with his shot, converting just seven of 17 attempts and missing all six of his 3-point tries. The matchup decisively went in favor of Embiid, setting the stage for what will likely be a hostile reception from French fans when Team USA faces France in the championship game.
As Team USA gears up for the gold medal game against the host nation, all eyes will be on Curry, James, Durant, and Embiid to see if they can replicate their semifinal heroics and bring home the gold.
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