Team USA, brimming with colossal talents came close to being thwarted yesterday. If it wasn’t for Joel Embiid’s late-game outburst and Stephen Curry and LeBron James’ composed finishing touches, it would have been one of the biggest upsets. However, when pressed, the firepower of Team USA went to another stratosphere. The desperation made for one of the most thrilling Team USA games in history. And all credit goes to the fearless mentality of Nikola Jokic and Serbia.

During the Hoops Tonight podcast, Jason Timpf admitted to being swooned by Serbia with their manner of play against Team USA. Not only were they on the cusp of victory, but they compelled their NBA-heavy rivals to dive deep into their reservoir. The product was a beautiful game of basketball and the most charged Team USA performance. And Timpf gives credit to only Nikola Jokic and Co. for their resilient effort

“Shoutout to the Serbian team. They brought something special out of this Team USA team that I think as basketball fans we were dying to see… Even though the 2008 team and 2012 teams ended up in semi-competitive games. They were never like profoundly threatened. And that really is what you saw in that fourth quarter. What it looks like when you watch the best players in the world, specifically a Team USA squad that usually doesn’t get pushed to this point when you watch them play desperate basketball,” Timpf explained.

It was just that from Team USA – desperation.

The underdogs came into battle having lost twice to the USA. Both times they were humiliated. Even then, Serbia never lost belief in their capability to beat the ‘unbeatable’. And the Joker and his teammates came within a hair’s distance of doing so. They led for 35 minutes in the game and only faltered in the final quarter. Unluckily for them, Team USA’s determination reached an all-time high at that moment.

Joel Embiid, fighting off the ridiculing crowd emerged as the catalyst that sparked Team USA’s spirits. And then the vintage trio, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant went to work. The Chef in particular was hungry for a big night, and he delivered 36 points including critical triples in the fourth quarter. James became the only Olympian in history to record two triple-doubles while Embiid went off for 19.

Now, all eyes are on the prize with one game remaining.

LeBron James is looking forward to the gold medal game

Emotions were in override when the final buzzer rang in the second semifinals. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant passionately bellowed and embraced after their hard-fought comeback against Serbia. The ecstacy was palpable. After the game, James spoke highly of their rivals.

“Gotta get it the hard way. We were preaching that the whole fourth quarter. Beating a team three times in three weeks, we knew it was going to be difficult. Serbia were going to give us everything they have. Kudos to Serbia, but we came through. Steph Curry, what a vintage Steph Curry game. Joel (Embiid) was big time for us and we needed it,” he said.

Then afterward, he took to X to post the scenic image of him, KD, and Curry together with a strong message for his teammates. “1 more” the tweet read. The test that stands in front now is the very hosts of the competition in France.

The home team has faced some troubles through their Olympic preparations. They narrowly ousted Germany in their semifinal clash, setting up the much anticipated final. Wembanyama, the touted future will battle against the most dominant nation in basketball history. During the Tokyo Olympics, they clashed twice.

In the group stage, the French staked their claim over the Kevin Durant-steered Team USA. But later revenge was achieved in the Final, when Team USA won their fourth straight Olympic gold medal in a tightly contested game.