It was unclear whether Kevin Durant would be healthy enough to play in Team USA’s 2024 Summer Olympics opener against Serbia on Sunday after missing all five exhibition games with a calf injury.
Even if Durant could have left, it was hard to say how many minutes he would play, what kind of offensive rhythm he would have and how quickly he would integrate with his new star teammates after missing critical reps in exhibition games.
But this is Durant we’re talking about. The all-time leading scorer for Team USA at the Olympics. The same player who scored 30 points as he led the Americans to gold against Serbia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. A man who is objectively one of the greatest players of all time on the court.
A day before Sunday’s game at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Paris, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters he was “confident” all 12 players on the roster would be available. USA Basketball announced Durant would be available shortly before kickoff, and in his fourth Olympic debut, the three-time gold medalist did exactly what he does best without missing a beat.
The 35-year-old forward entered the game with 2:33 left in the first quarter after Team USA found itself down 19-14. His presence was immediately felt, as the Americans went on an 11-1 run to take a 25-20 lead early in the second quarter. And with his exceptional shooting ability — and the exceptional play of flag-bearer LeBron James — the Americans capitalized on their lead and never looked back.
Durant was nearly perfect in Team USA’s 110-84 win, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting in just under 17 minutes, but his flawless start to the offensive game against Serbia is what the world will remember. He went 8-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from three-point range in the first half, getting to his spots effortlessly and shooting over Serbian defenders like they were chairs.
The Americans went undefeated in exhibition play, but close games against Australia, South Sudan and Germany left a sense of vulnerability. The pool of international talent is deeper than ever. Gold matters, and countries around the world came to these Olympics more confident than ever in their chances of claiming the throne.
But talent and depth are key in international competition, and the Americans once again proved why they are unmatched in both areas. Durant opened the scoring, but James, at 39, finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in the win. Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday also scored double-digits, and Team USA shot 56 percent from three-point range.
Team USA lost its first game four years ago in Tokyo. The exhibition game was tough, so of course there were lingering doubts. But Kerr, a four-time NBA champion, got the most out of his stars when it mattered Sunday. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play. Joel Embiid was far from his best. Still, the Americans won by 26 points.
It’s a disturbing thought for the rest of the world.
The Americans will face a confident South Sudan team on Wednesday with a chance to start 2-0 in the Olympic group.
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