In a dramatic turnaround, the U.S. men’s basketball team staged a stunning comeback to defeat Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The victory propels the Americans into the gold medal game, where they will face host nation France in what promises to be an electrifying matchup.
The U.S. found themselves in deep trouble early on, trailing by 17 points in the first half and facing an 11-point deficit at halftime—the largest comeback by a U.S. team since NBA players began participating in the Olympics in 1992. But a remarkable six-point burst in just two seconds late in the fourth quarter turned the tide.
Stephen Curry was the hero of the night, scoring 36 points, including a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with 2:16 remaining. His performance not only secured the U.S. a spot in the final but also marked the second-highest scoring output by a U.S. player in Olympic history, just one point shy of Carmelo Anthony’s record.
Reflecting on the game, Curry said, “I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball, and that was a special one.”
Serbia, who had led for nearly 90% of the game, seemed poised for an upset. They held an 11-point lead with just over seven minutes to play, but the Americans surged back, thanks in part to a pivotal sequence where Kevin Durant hit a three-pointer while Anthony Davis was fouled. On the ensuing possession, Devin Booker drilled another three, cutting Serbia’s lead from 11 points to just five in an instant.
From there, the momentum was all U.S. Curry’s clutch shooting put the Americans ahead for good, and his late free throws sealed the win. Curry’s brilliance was celebrated by his teammates and even former Olympic greats like Carmelo Anthony, who was courtside cheering him on.
Durant, who described Curry’s performance as “godlike,” remains on track to potentially become the first four-time Olympic men’s gold medalist.
Joel Embiid also played a critical role, contributing 19 points on efficient 8-of-11 shooting, while LeBron James added 16 points. James praised Embiid, saying, “Joel was everything. Made every big shot.”
For Serbia, Bogdan Bogdanovic led the way with 20 points, while Nikola Jokic added 17. Despite their efforts, Serbia couldn’t hold off the American comeback and will now face Germany in the bronze medal game.
Serbia’s coach, Svetislav Petic, acknowledged the U.S. team’s superiority, even comparing them favorably to the legendary Dream Team, saying, “They’re that good.”
The U.S. improved their all-time Olympic record to 144-6, maintaining their dominance in international basketball. The victory also offers a shot at redemption after a disappointing fourth-place finish at last year’s World Cup, which motivated stars like James and Curry to join this Olympic roster.
As the Americans prepare to face France in the gold medal game—a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 final—they stand just one win away from another Olympic triumph. For veterans like LeBron James, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“I’m 39 years old, going into my 22nd season, I don’t know how many opportunities and moments I’m going to get like this,” James said. “Tonight was a big game, and now we’re one step closer to gold.”
