USA dominates Serbia in Olympic opener: James and Durant Shine
The U.S. Men’s Basketball Team kicked off their quest for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a commanding 110-84 victory over Serbia.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the most experienced Olympians on the team, led the charge with near-flawless performances.
Durant made his first eight shots and finished with 23 points. James contributed 21 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. The two superstars were a combined 18 of 22 from the field—Durant going 8 of 9 and James 9 of 13—showcasing their efficiency and dominance.
The U.S. team, which has struggled with outside shooting in recent warmup games, found their rhythm from beyond the arc, outscoring Serbia 54-27 from the three-point line. This long-range accuracy, coupled with a 62% shooting night from the field, helped the Americans secure a comfortable win.
Jrue Holiday added 15 points, Devin Booker chipped in 12, and both Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry contributed 11 points each. The U.S. defense also played a crucial role, limiting Serbia to 42% shooting and containing their key players.
Serbia, the reigning World Cup silver medalists, struggled to find their offensive flow. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic led the team with 20 points, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 14. However, their efforts were not enough to keep pace with the high-flying Americans.
The victory marks a strong start for the U.S. team as they aim for their 17th men’s basketball Olympic gold. Next up, they face South Sudan on Wednesday, a team they narrowly defeated 101-100 in a recent friendly on July 20.
Serbia, meanwhile, will look to bounce back in their next game against Puerto Rico, hoping to improve on their offensive execution and regain their rhythm.
This Olympic opener demonstrated the depth and talent of the U.S. squad, with veterans and younger stars alike stepping up. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Americans can maintain this high level of play and continue their march towards gold.
