Down by 11 in the fourth quarter and facing overwhelming odds, the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team ignited a comeback with an electrifying two-second sequence that sparked their drive for victory.
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Six Points in Two Seconds Serbia.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker ignited that pivotal moment, while Stephen Curry delivered a scoring performance for the ages. The Americans triumphed over Serbia 95-91 in a thrilling semifinal, securing a chance to compete for gold at the Paris Games. Curry finished the night with 36 points, including a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining. LeBron James contributed with a historic triple-double, marking the fourth of its kind for the U.S. in Olympic history.
The U.S. team faced a daunting 17-point deficit in the first half and trailed by 11 at halftime—the largest comeback by an American squad since NBA players joined the Olympic competition in 1992. “I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball,” Curry said. “And that was a special one.”
Serbia led by 11 with 7:19 left, but from that point on, the U.S. dominated. They managed to secure the win despite leading for only 3 minutes and 25 seconds throughout the game, while Serbia held the lead for 35 minutes and 12 seconds—nearly 90% of the match.
The U.S. will face host France for gold on Saturday, a highly anticipated rematch from the Tokyo Games three years ago, where the Americans also emerged victorious, 87-82. Serbia will compete against Germany for the bronze earlier that day.
“I’m really humbled to have been a part of this game,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said, paying tribute to Serbia’s performance. “It’s one of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of. They played a perfect game, and our guys were incredible in that fourth quarter.”
Joel Embiid led the U.S. with 19 points, shooting 8-for-11, while James added 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. The victory ensures the U.S. will earn its 20th medal in 20 Olympic appearances.
“Joel was everything,” James said, who has two of the four triple-doubles in U.S. Olympic history. “Made every big shot.”
Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 20 points, with Nikola Jokic adding 17 and Aleksa Avramovic contributing 15. The Serbians had lost to the U.S. three times this summer but looked poised for a win until the U.S. turned the game around in the fourth quarter.
The game shifted dramatically after an incredible sequence that saw the U.S. score six points in just two seconds. Durant made a 3-pointer while Anthony Davis was fouled, and following the foul, Booker hit another 3-pointer, narrowing Serbia’s lead from 78-67 to 78-73. Curry’s decisive 3-pointer put the U.S. ahead for good, and he sealed the victory with two free throws, making it a two-possession game.
Curry’s 36 points rank as the second-most ever by a U.S. men’s player in Olympic history, just shy of Carmelo Anthony’s record of 37 points against Nigeria in 2012. Anthony, who was present in the stands, cheered on Curry enthusiastically, sharing a moment of celebration after the win.
“That was a godlike performance,” Durant said, reflecting on Curry’s game-changing contributions.
Serbia’s coach, Svetislav Petic, praised the U.S. squad, asserting that this team was better than any in Olympic history, even surpassing the legendary Dream Team. “They’re that good,” he remarked.
With the U.S. trailing and struggling against a barrage of Serbian 3-pointers, the game turned dramatically in the fourth quarter. The Americans ultimately improved their all-time Olympic record to 144-6, and 63-4 since NBA players were included in the Olympics in 1992.
“Perseverance, hard work, dedication, Chef Curry, and Joel ‘Process’ Embiid,” James summed up the night. “Big-time win for us. We knew it was going to be our toughest game to date. Total effort.”
While the gold medal is the ultimate goal, the U.S. celebrated their comeback upon returning to the hotel. Having been down 42-25 at one point and facing an 11-point deficit in the fourth, the Americans outscored Serbia 32-15 in the final quarter.
“I know we want to win the gold, but you’ve got to celebrate the small moments, too,” Durant said in a video shared by USA Basketball. “Guarantee you, everybody in here will remember this night for the rest of their lives. That’s how special this is.”
The comeback keeps Durant’s hopes alive of becoming the first player to win four Olympic gold medals, giving the U.S. a chance to reclaim its position at the top of international basketball. The Americans finished fourth at last summer’s World Cup, which motivated stars like James and Curry to join this Olympic team.
With their semifinal victory, the U.S. is one win away from another gold medal. “I’m 39 years old, going into my 22nd season. I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll have to compete for something big,” James said. “And tonight was a big game.”
