USA Basketball Team semifinal against Serbia with a few concerns on the injury front. LeBron James and Joel Embiid, two key players for the American squad, are dealing with minor injuries but are expected to be ready for the crucial matchup.
LeBron James Gets Four Stitches
LeBron James exited the game against Brazil in the third quarter after taking an accidental elbow to the face from Brazil’s Georginho De Paula. The impact resulted in a cut just above LeBron’s left eye, requiring four stitches to close, as confirmed by USA coach Steve Kerr after the game. LeBron returned to the bench in the fourth quarter but did not re-enter the game, as the USA had already secured a comfortable lead. Speaking with ESPN’s Marc Spears postgame, LeBron assured, “I’m ok. I just got hit with an inadvertent elbow.”
Joel Embiid Rests Sore Ankle
Joel Embiid, who led Team USA in scoring with 14 points in the first half, sat out the second half due to some discomfort in his ankle. With the USA holding a 27-point lead at halftime, Kerr decided not to risk further injury to Embiid. Anthony Davis stepped in for the second half as the USA cruised to victory. Embiid’s presence will be crucial in the upcoming semifinal, particularly as a defensive counter to Serbia’s Nikola Jokić.
Looking Ahead to Serbia
Coach Kerr will be eager to have both LeBron and Embiid at full strength for the showdown against Serbia. Embiid’s size and defensive abilities are vital for containing Jokić, who has the potential to dominate inside, especially against smaller defenders like Davis. Meanwhile, LeBron’s playmaking was a key factor in Team USA’s earlier win over Serbia in the group stage, where his ability to exploit double teams helped the Americans pull away.
The semifinal is set for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, and with a gold medal on the line, USA Basketball Team will need all hands on deck to secure a spot in the final.
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