Stephen Curry: Timely Heroics Lead the Comeback
In the semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USA Basketball Men’s National Team overcame a 17-point deficit to edge out Serbia 95-91 at Bercy Arena. The victory propels the U.S. into the gold medal game. They will face host nation France in what promises to be a highly anticipated rematch.
Stephen Curry had struggled to find his rhythm in the earlier rounds. Finally, he delivered a performance for the ages. Scoring 36 points, including 17 in the first quarter and nine in the decisive fourth, Curry was the driving force behind the U.S. comeback. His nine 3-pointers were just one shy of tying Carmelo Anthony’s U.S. Olympic record.
“Curry was just phenomenal today,” U.S. Coach Steve Kerr said after the game. “He really stepped up when we needed him the most. This was one of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of.”
LeBron James: Triple-Double and Defensive Lockdown
LeBron James, continuing to cement his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians in history, recorded his second Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. His leadership was crucial in the final quarter, where the U.S. defense finally clicked, shutting down Serbia’s prolific offense.
“Our defense came alive in the fourth quarter,” Curry noted. “We put a very athletic lineup out there with me, Book [Devin Booker], K.D. [Kevin Durant], Bron, and A.D. [Anthony Davis] to give ourselves some life. Once you have life on defense, it usually fuels your offense because you get stops and the game starts to connect.”
Indeed, Serbia, which had hit 15 3-pointers through the first three quarters, missed all nine attempts from beyond the arc in the final period. This defensive turnaround was key to the U.S. securing the victory.
A Game of Runs and Resilience
The game was a rollercoaster from the outset. Serbia came out firing, taking a 31-23 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to 17 points early in the second quarter. Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP, was a dominant presence, both offensively and defensively. He blocked a LeBron James attempt at the rim and then converted a three-point play at the other end, pushing Serbia’s lead to its largest of the game.
However, the U.S. began chipping away at the deficit, cutting it to 11 points by halftime. In the third quarter, the Americans continued to fight back, reducing the gap to as few as five points, but Serbia responded each time to maintain a 76-63 lead heading into the final quarter.
It was in the fourth quarter that the U.S. finally seized control. A critical sequence saw Durant hit a 3-pointer with 7:19 left, followed by a foul on Jokic that allowed Booker to hit another 3-pointer off the inbounds pass. This six-point play trimmed the lead to just five points and gave the Americans the momentum they needed.
Joel Embiid, who finished with 19 points, took over from there, scoring seven straight points to bring the U.S. within two. LeBron James then tied the game with a driving layup, and Curry’s ninth 3-pointer gave the Americans their first lead since the opening minutes. From that point, the U.S. held firm, with James and Curry adding key baskets to secure the win.
Looking Ahead to the Gold Medal Game
With the victory, the U.S. now turns its attention to France, who defeated Germany 73-69 in the other semifinal. This sets up a rematch of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medal game, where the U.S. narrowly defeated France 87-82. However, France had beaten the U.S. in the opening game of that tournament, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
“It’ll be amazing,” Kerr said about the upcoming final. “The crowd was incredible in France’s last game, and the energy in the arena was electric. I think it will be one of the most fun games that I will ever be a part of.”
Final France: Home-Court Advantage
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, France will be aiming to win their first Olympic gold medal in basketball. Led by young star Victor Wembanyama, the French team has had a strong tournament, and their semifinal victory over Germany was marked by key contributions from their European professionals and superior defense.
“The atmosphere is going to be incredible,” said French center Rudy Gobert. “It’s what you dream of as a player. We’ve made it this far, and now we have the chance to do something special in front of our fans.”
A Historic Showdown Awaits
As the U.S. and France prepare to battle for the gold medal, the stage is set for a historic showdown. Both teams are loaded with talent and driven by the desire to make history, making this one of the most highly anticipated Olympic basketball finals in recent memory.
For Team USA, the journey has been challenging, but their resolve, particularly in the semifinal against Serbia, proves they are ready for whatever lies ahead. As LeBron James put it, “We’ve been tested, and now it’s time to finish the job.”
The gold medal game will tip off on Sunday at 3:30 a.m. (GMT+8), with the world watching to see who will stand atop the podium in Paris.
Schedule:
USA Basketball – Showcase and Olympics Schedule 2024
Game Review:
USA Wins Over Serbia in Olympic Opener: 110-84
USA Wins Over South Sudan: 103-86 Secures Top Spot in Group C
USA Wins Over Puerto Rico: 104-86 Clinches No. 1 Seed in Quarterfinals
