In his first recreation for Group USA this yr, star ahead Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns reminded everybody why he’s the main scorer in Group USA historical past. Durant helped energy the People to their first manner of the Olympic video games, taking down Serbia by a rating of 110-84.
Extra information: USA Basketball Looks Surprisingly Vulnerable Ahead of Paris Olympics
Coming off the bench, Durant completed the sport with 23 factors, with 21 of them coming within the first half. The celebrity showcased to everybody that his lacking the pre-game showcase video games due to a calf injury wasn’t going to vary how he performed on the courtroom.
Photograph by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs
The 14-time NBA All-Star completed one thing on this recreation that he has by no means achieved earlier than. Durant scored greater than 20 factors with out lacking a shot from the sector for the primary time in his profession. Regardless of all his greatness, it was a brand new feat for Durant.
Kevin Durant has by no means dropped 20 pts on 100% from the sector in any half of his NBA profession, together with postseason.
He simply dropped 21 on 8-8 capturing off the bench within the first half vs. Serbia 😳 pic.twitter.com/We0y1Yv961
— ESPN (@espn) July 28, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers celebrity LeBron James added 21 factors, seven rebounds, and 9 assists, scoring 12 factors earlier than halftime. James, the oldest participant to ever play for Group USA continued his spectacular efficiency through the video games. He helped lead the People to an ideal report within the pre-game showcase, arising clutch in a number of cases.
He has appeared very energetic throughout his time with Group USA up to now, regardless of being nearly 40 years outdated. This may probably be the final Olympic video games that James participates in on account of his impending retirement within the subsequent couple of seasons. However for now, James continues to placed on a present anytime he steps foot onto a basketball courtroom.
After trying considerably vulnerable to open the showcase, Group USA made fast work of Serbia within the second half. Serbia was no match for Group USA regardless of having three-time MVP Nikola Jokic on the roster. The People appeared just like the stacked crew that they have been anticipated to be, resulting in a dominant opening win.
One of many largest storylines of the sport was the truth that head coach Steve Kerr elected to not play Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum through the first half. Followers have been clamoring for Tatum to enter the game, particularly because it was a comparatively shut first half.
Learn extra: USA Basketball Men’s National Team: Why is Jayson Tatum Not Playing?
Subsequent up for the People is a matchup with South Sudan on July 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and might be a rematch of one of many toughest pre-game showcase matchups for Group USA.
