Kevin Durant: Steph Curry Had 'God-Like Performance' in USA's Olympic Win vs. Serbia
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Stephen Curry (4) and Kevin Durant (7) of US during the Men's basketball semifinals match between United States and Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Steph Curry's performance in Thursday's semifinal win against Serbia at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics even had his teammates star-struck.
Curry scored 36 points in the 95-91 comeback victory for the U.S. that clinched a spot in the gold-medal game. Following the game, Kevin Durant spoke about Curry's performance and referred to it as "God-like."
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
"Steph, man, that was a God-like performance," Durant said, per Sam Amick of The Athletic. "Dang, (Curry) was tough. He felt like he was struggling throughout the whole tournament, and we always said each night it could be somebody different (every game). And tonight, he showed up in a way that, man…"
Durant continued by saying that the performance was among the best he'd ever seen from Curry.
"Shot after shot, getting a steal and then finishing with the layup," Durant said, per Amick. "He was everywhere tonight. It was one of the greatest games I've ever seen him play."
Durant, of course, had a front-row seat to the Curry show during their time together with the Golden State Warriors from 2016-2019—a stretch that featured two NBA titles.
Durant, Curry and Team USA will hope he can keep up the strong play in the gold-medal game. The U.S. will take on France at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday for a chance to clinch a fifth consecutive gold medal.
Joel Embiid 'Going to Enjoy' Boos from French Fans in USA's Olympic Gold Medal Game
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 8: Joel Embiid #11 of United States celebrates their victory during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid was already the biggest villain to the Paris crowd in the Olympic basketball tournament, but he is prepared for the boos to rain down on him when Team USA plays France for the gold medal on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after Friday's practice, Embiid said he's "going to enjoy" the fan reaction and won't be afraid to play into it.
"It's all about Team USA against France, but I know myself, I'm going to interact myself and I'm going to enjoy it," Embiid said. "They're going to boo me. I'm going to go back at them and tell 'em to suck it. And so it's going to be fun."
Embiid's decision to play for the United States in the Olympics has proven to be quite controversial in France. He was granted French citizenship in 2022, despite having never lived in the country. There was a strong feeling within France's national basketball team that he would play for the country at the Paris Games.
When Embiid, who became a U.S. citizen in September 2022, committed to play for Team USA last October, France did not respond well. French national basketball team president Jean-Pierre Siutat called it "an easy way for him to get an Olympic medal."
Crowds in Paris have consistently booed Embiid loudly whenever he is introduced before games or touches the ball.
Embiid's presence proved to be critical for the U.S. in a 95-91 semifinal win over Serbia. He scored seven straight points in the fourth as Team USA overcame a 13-point deficit it was facing at the start of the final frame.
France became the first host country to reach the gold-medal game in men's basketball since 1996, defeating Germany 73-69 in the semifinal.
The gold medal game will be played at Accor Arena on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
USA's Steph Curry: Olympic Gold Medal Game vs. Wembanyama, France Will 'Be a Battle'
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 8: Stephen Curry #4 of the USA Men's National Team celebrates during the game during the Men's Semi-Finals on August 8, 2024 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
USA Basketball star Stephen Curry is ready for a challenge when his 2024 Paris Olympics end Saturday with a gold medal contest against Victor Wembanyama and France.
"I know it's going to be a battle. That's what it's supposed to be if you're trying to win a gold medal," Curry said, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
Team USA faced its biggest obstacle of the tournament so far on Thursday during a semifinal game against Nikola Jokić and Serbia, which the Americans trailed for more than 35 minutes.
Curry, who scored 36 points to power Team USA to a 95-91 win, will now hope to put together a similarly dominant performance on Saturday.
France, meanwhile, enters the contest coming off a semifinal win over Germany and a quarterfinal upset of Canada.
The home team gained the advantage over Germany in the third quarter and never looked back, closing out the game with a strong fourth quarter to seal the 73-69 win.
France's semifinal victory set up a rematch for the 2020 Tokyo Games that took place in 2021. Team USA, then without Curry or James, won 87-82 in the previous gold medal contest.
Wembanyama finished Thursday's win with 11 points on 4-of-17 shooting, but he added seven rebounds and several key blocks that helped France close out the victory.
In the U.S. semifinal, Curry came one point short of tying Carmelo Anthony's single-game Olympic-record total, scoring 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting.
The final will pit him against a French team with the rare Olympic advantage of playing in front of a home crowd. The United States is currently the only country to win Olympic gold in men's basketball at home, having achieved the feat at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Starters Isaïa Cordinier and Guerschon Yabusele, as well as sixth man Mathias Lessort, were able to join Wembanyama in overwhelming Germany. Now they will look to give Curry and Team USA their biggest challenge of the tournament when the gold medal game tips off at 3:30 p.m ET.
Olympic Basketball Bracket 2024: USA vs. France Set for Women's Gold Medal Match
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 07: Breanna Stewart #10 of Team United States reacts during a Women's basketball quarterfinal game between Team United States and Team Nigeria on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The United States women's basketball team secured its spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics gold medal game with an 85-64 win over Australia on Friday.
Breanna Stewart led all scorers with 16 points, A'ja Wilson added 14 points and four blocks and 11 of the 12 Team USA players scored at least one point.
Team USA will go after its eighth consecutive women's basketball gold medal on Sunday (9:30 a.m. ET, NBC) as the road team against France. France beat Belgium 81-75 in Friday's second semifinal.
The United States and France will square off in both men's and women's basketball finals. It is the first time in Olympic history the same final matchup takes place in both men's and women's basketball.
Box Score
United States 20 Q1 / 25 Q2 / 21 Q3 / 19 Q4 / 85 TOT
Australia 16 Q1 / 11 Q2 / 13 Q3 / 24 Q4 / 64 TOT
Player Statistics
Team Statistics
One Win Away from Team USA's Eighth Straight Gold Medal
Joel Embiid Talks Possibility of Playing for Cameroon at 2028 Olympics After USA Run
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 8: Joel Embiid #11 of United States celebrates during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid suggested he could be sporting new colors when he takes the court in Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
The Cameroon native is currently playing for the U.S. team as it hopes to earn a fifth consecutive gold medal on Saturday against France. Following Thursday's semifinal win over Serbia, Embiid suggested that he could choose to go for a medal with his home country in 2028 instead of running it back with the U.S.
"It's been a good experience," he told reporters. "It's been a grind, being away from home and family for a few weeks. But the group of guys we have made it easy. Paris is a great city and the next one is L.A. It might not be with Team USA; it might be with Cameroon."
While Embiid may wish to switch his allegiance in 2028, that is easier said than done.
Joe Vardon and Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that due to his participation for the U.S. in a "sanctioned international competition," Embiid would require a waiver from both FIBA and USA Basketball to make the switch.
With how Embiid has played in 2024, it would be hard to picture the U.S. granting that waiver. He is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.2 minutes per game in the Olympics and has proved to be a matchup nightmare at times for opposing frontcourts.
While the U.S. has the most top-end talent in the tournament, the gap with other countries is shrinking, and losing Embiid to a potential competitor could be detrimental to the team's chances in four years.
Before Embiid considers the switch, he will look to earn the gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gold-medal game against France is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Olympic Basketball Bracket 2024: Men's Gold, Bronze Medal Games Schedule, Predictions
Aug 9, 2024
USA's #06 LeBron James (L) celebrates with USA's #04 Stephen Curry at the end of the men's semifinal basketball match between USA and Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 8, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
After surviving a scare against Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Thursday, Team USA advanced to the gold-medal game against France, where it will look to earn a fifth-straight gold medal.
The 2024 Olympics have seen Team USA return to its dominant self after the United States struggled a bit in Tokyo in 2021. Team USA cruised through the group phase, beating Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico with ease. It then dominated Brazil 122-87 in its quarterfinal matchup.
Team USA mounted a double-digit comeback in the semifinals against Serbia behind Steph Curry's 36 points and a LeBron James triple-double to keep its gold-medal hopes alive.
France's path to the gold-medal game hasn't been as smooth, as it lost to Germany in the group phase and has narrowly gotten through its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups. Team USA will be France's toughest challenge yet, but if it can pull off the upset it will mean the French have claimed their first gold medal ever in men's basketball.
Gold-Medal Game
United States vs. France, Saturday, Aug. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Bronze-Medal Game
Germany vs. Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5 a.m. ET, Peacock
United States vs. France
This game will be a rematch of the Tokyo gold-medal game, though both squads have added some talent over the last few years.
The United States brought a respectable roster to the 2021 Olympics, but it doesn't compare to this year's group. Many have said this year's team is the greatest Team USA ever assembled, even better than the 1992 Dream Team and 2008 Redeem Team. Can they prove that with a dominant win over a solid French team?
As for France, it boasts a roster that contains NBA talent, highlighted by rising star Victor Wembanyama and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Wembanyama has been the star for France, averaging 13.8 points, 10.2 boards and 3.6 assists per game, leading the team in all three of those categories. Gobert, as much NBA success as he's had, hasn't gotten the minutes some might expect, playing just 14.4 minutes per game in the Olympics.
That could change on Saturday as he has plenty of experience playing members of Team USA.
A side-by-side comparison of these two teams shows that Team USA has much more talent, but France will hope it can rely on its cohesion as a group and a different style of play than the United States is familiar with to gain an upper hand.
Even though France has some NBA talent, Team USA should fare well on Saturday and win a fifth consecutive gold medal.
Prediction: United States 98, France 84
Serbia vs. Germany
After giving Team USA a scare in the semifinals, Serbia seems to be in a good position to earn a bronze medal and leave Paris with something to show for.
Serbia has looked like one of the best teams in Paris, losing just two games, both to the United States, and getting an impressive win over a tough Australia team. Like France, Serbia has a handful of NBA players, the most notable being three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. It also has a talented scorer in Bogdan Bogdanović, who put up 20 points against Team USA on Thursday.
But Germany has plenty of NBA talent of its own with players like Franz and Mo Wagner, Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis. That group has led Germany to a solid showing at the Olympics, with its only loss being to France in the semifinals.
Serbia and Germany will be pretty evenly matched, but Jokić gives his squad a slight edge. It should be a competitive bronze-medal game with Serbia sneaking away late.
Prediction: Serbia 90, Germany 83
Kevin Durant Slams Nikola Jokić 'Worship' by Nuggets Fans: 'Nobody Gives a F--k'
Aug 9, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Kevin Durant (7) of US reacts during the Men's basketball semifinals match between United States and Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns and Team USA basketball star Kevin Durant said his piece on social media Friday morning regarding the narrative surrounding Denver Nuggets and Serbian center Nikola Jokić following the United States' thrilling 95-91 come-from-behind victory at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Thursday.
In response to an X user accusing American fans of "double standards" and not giving Jokić his due as the best player in the world, Durant wrote that while most players respect Jokić and are "in awe" of him, they don't "worship" him like fans do:
To all you nuggets fans, nobody gives a fuck who yall lames believe is the best player in the league, players got major respect for Jok, we don’t worship him like yall do but most are in awe of his brilliance. Trolling you cornballs for rooting against us is apart of the game.… https://t.co/JVwxSi0eJD
Durant later ripped "the fan culture that's been created recently" that features "idol worship, a lot of hate and division based off wins and losses" as well as what he sees as "disrespect of the work being put in" by "incredible athletes."
Lets talk about the fan culture that’s been created recently. A lot of huge egos who believe they are the reason for the advancement of a sport. ALOT of idol worship, a lot of hate and division based off wins and losses, a lot of disrespect of the work being put in by these… https://t.co/UFRak9kSEG
That’s what yall do, yall clowns. Use players to push these corny agendas yall got. This a brotherhood fam, u not apart of. It’s a problem now cuz social media got u clowns walkin around wit your chest out like u mean something. YOU DONT!!! YOUR TAKES DONT MATTER https://t.co/DVWyR9ZDMD
Earlier in the day, Durant trolled a fan who wrote that the country of Serbia "should be proud" of pushing the stacked Team USA to the limit in Thursday's semifinal.
The Americans were given their toughest test of these Olympics by far from Serbia, but they rallied and came through when it mattered most, setting up a clash with host France in the gold medal game.
Team USA trailed by as many as 17 against Serbia, and the Serbians held a 13-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.
The Serbians could barely miss from long range during the first half, and they got another spectacular performance out of the three-time NBA MVP in Jokić, who finished with 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.
Jokić was far from the only reason why Serbia was so competitive, though. Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanović led the team with 20 points, and Aleksa Avramović pitched in 15 points while going 4-of-6 from downtown.
The best performance in Thursday's game undoubtedly belonged to KD's former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry, who went 9-for-14 from long range and led all scorers with 36 points.
Steph kept Team USA in it early when nobody was hitting shots, and he hit some clutch buckets in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:24 remaining.
LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Durant all came through in big moments as well with James going for a triple-double, Embiid scoring 19 points and KD contributing nine points off the bench.
As great as Jokić unquestionably is, he struggled with Team USA's smothering defense late and shot only 7-for-17 from the field and 0-for-6 from three-point range in the game.
Durant may have been more compelled than usual to clap back at those who were gassing up Jokić and Serbia due to the Serbian players' actions during the game.
They seemed to be talking trash throughout, and some of them even taunted NBA and Team USA legend Carmelo Anthony, who was sitting courtside.
The trash talk seemed to fire up LeBron late in the first half, and the entire team then played inspired basketball during the closing stretch.
Most of the pressure was squarely on Team USA's shoulders since the Americans are going for their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in men's basketball, but they rose to the challenge.
While Serbia will have to play for bronze against Germany, the United States is now just one win away from gold. It will face France with the gold medal hanging in the balance on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Steve Kerr: USA vs. Serbia Among 'Greatest Basketball Games I've Ever Been a Part of'
Aug 8, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 8: Lebron James of United States and Stephen Curry of the United States celebrate their victory and entry into the Final during the Men's Semifinal Game between United States and Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Arena Bercy on August 8, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The United States men's basketball team had to stage a furious rally to overcome a 17-point first-half deficit against Serbia on Thursday, eventually winning 95-91 behind Stephen Curry's 36 points, LeBron James' triple-double and the best game Joel Embiid has played for the national team.
It was an instant classic, and it puts the Americans one win away from claiming a fifth straight gold medal in men's basketball.
"Serbia was brilliant today and I am really humbled to have been a part of this game," Team USA head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game. "It's one of the greatest basketball games I've ever been a part of."
Serbia was indeed fantastic, and it wasn't only three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić who gave the United States fits. The Serbs hit 15 threes in total, punishing the United States' help defense and slow rotations.
But ultimately, Curry, James, Embiid and the rest of the Americans were too much for Serbia to overcome.
"They were perfect," Kerr told reporters. "They played a perfect game. Our coaches were saying Villanova-Georgetown [in the 1985 NCAA title game, won by Villanova], for all of our older readers and viewers out there. But they played the perfect game and they forced us to reach the highest level of competition that we could find. And our guys were incredible in that fourth quarter and they got it done."
Stephen Curry Reacts to USA's Comeback Win vs. Serbia in Olympics: 'That Was Special'
Aug 8, 2024
Stephen Curry of USA gestures, cheer during the Men's Basketball semi-final match between USA and Serbia on Day 13 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 8, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
After spearheading an exciting 17-point comeback victory over Serbia to send Team USA to the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, star point guard Stephen Curry couldn't help but marvel at the team's performance on Thursday.
"For all of us being superstars and Hall of Famers on our respective teams and what we've all accomplished, the buy-in is there and it's the only way you can do it to win," Curry said after Team USA's 95-91 win, per ESPN's Brian Windhorst. "To come back the way we did, I've seen a lot of Team USA Basketball, and that was special."
Playing in the first Olympics of his legendary career, Curry had his best performance of the Paris Games by pouring in a game-high 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field with nine three-pointers. He said afterward that his first Olympics experience has already been a memorable one:
"This is the most fun I've had in a very long time."
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
Along with fellow former NBA MVPs LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, the 36-year-old put on a scintillating show in the fourth quarter to help Team USA avoid a massive upset loss that would've ended its streak of four straight Olympic gold medals.
Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant scored the final 13 points for Team USA in their comeback win vs. Serbia, per @NBA
Thursday's comeback win sets up a a rematch of the 2021 Olympic final against France in the gold-medal game on Saturday. It can be expected that Curry will be looking to dominate once again as he tries to win an Olympic gold.
LeBron James Says '1 More' After USA's Olympic Semifinal Win vs. Nikola Jokić, Serbia
Aug 8, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Lebron James of Team United States reacts during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
LeBron James has his eye on the prize.
The 20-time All-Star helped lead the U.S. to a 95-91 semifinal victory over Serbia on Thursday. With the win, the U.S. advanced to the gold-medal game against France.
Following the victory, James posted a photo with himself, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry on X and captioned it with a message saying "1 more."
The Americans are seeking a fifth consecutive gold medal in Olympic play.
James is seeking his third gold medal and first since 2012. The 39-year-old had not participated in the Olympics since 2012 but elected to give it another go in what could be his final international tournament.
James had a strong output against Serbia, scoring 16 points and adding 12 rebounds and 10 assists. This was his first triple-double of the 2024 Olympics and his 32 minutes were his highest total of the tournament.
Curry led the U.S. with 36 points while Joel Embiid had 19 and Durant had nine off of the bench.
The U.S. now will turn its attention to the host nation as it hopes to claim gold once again. The final game is set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
