PARIS, France — The United States pulled off a stunning 17-point comeback to defeat Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, securing a place in the gold medal game against France that’s just a few hours away. It was a full display of Team USA’s might, a team boasting a collection of some of the greatest basketball players in history. No

Serbia, led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanović, came out with a near-flawless game plan. Serbia built a commanding lead, leaving many wondering if the United States could pull off a miracle. Serbia was aggressive defensively at the point of attack and mixed up coverages, forcing the Americans into numerous mistakes. By the end of the first quarter, Serbia led 31-23, and their advantage only grew as the game progressed.

Kevin Durant even praised the creative approach from Serbia, stating how it made it feel like he was “floating in and out of the game” throughout the night. “I feel like I was floating in and out of the game,” Durant explained, “They did a good job of playing the zone and throwing this off a bit. But I just tried to stay into it defensively, and I was able to knock a couple down that fourth.”

The Serbians were relentless in their execution. Aleksa Avramović, who scored 15 points in the first half, helped Serbia open up a 17-point lead despite Stephen Curry’s heroics on the other end. Curry was the lone bright spot for the United States early on, pouring in 20 points before halftime, with a flurry of perimeter jumpers often as the focus of off-ball screening actions to keep the team within striking distance. However, every time the United States seemed poised to make a run, Serbia responded, showcasing their poise and confidence.

Durant revealed that the Americans’ most important goal expressed during a halftime conversation was to stay confident and not let Serbia’s flurry discourage them. “We just said we got to keep going,” he revealed, “They made some tough shots in the first half. They hit some bank threes, some fadeaway threes. Guys that had been making shots throughout the tournament knocked some shots down. So, we tried not to get too discouraged, but in that fourth quarter, I mean, late in the third quarter, they hit us pretty hard. We were down, but we just kept pushing. We knew our defense would win this basketball game.”

Serbia held a comfortable 54-43 lead at halftime; by the end of the third quarter, they were still up 76-63. The United States appeared headed for a disappointing end to its pursuit for a fifth consecutive gold medal, facing a 13-point deficit with just one quarter left to play. However, as the fourth quarter began, the American superstars dominated. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and Curry took control of the game, combining their talents to launch a furious comeback that left fans at the Bercy Arena and viewers worldwide in awe.

Team USA tightened up on both ends to pull off an impressive comeback

The turning point came with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Trailing 78-67, Kevin Durant knocked down a crucial three-pointer to cut the lead to eight. Almost immediately, Anthony Davis drew a foul. Devin Booker nailed another three-pointer with the ball back in the Americans’ hands, slicing Serbia’s lead to just five points in seconds. From that moment on, the United States dialed up the defensive pressure, with James, in particular, stepping up to take on the Jokić assignment in the post, who had been orchestrating Serbia’s offense all night, resulting in a wholly stifled offense.

At 39 years old and entering his 22nd NBA season, James proved that he still had plenty left in the tank. He locked down Jokić and tied the game at 84-84 with a decisive driving layup with 3:41 remaining. “I was trying to be aggressive, make plays for our team, try to do a little bit of everything on the floor, and my teammates believed in me,” James told reporters after the game. “It’s good to be tested. It’s great to be tested. And our ultimate goal is one game away.”

The comeback was a team effort, with each American star contributing in crucial moments. Curry, who had been relatively quiet in the earlier rounds of the tournament, delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career. His ninth three-pointer gave Team USA their first lead since the first quarter, putting them up 87-86 with just over two minutes left to play. “Once you have life on defense, it usually fuels your offense,” Curry explained. “To come back the way we did… I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball, and that was a special one.” The group remained confident they’d get a classic Curry moment, and it’s safe to say he delivered epically. He was confident he’d find a rhythm, saying, “I haven’t shot the ball well the whole tournament, but it doesn’t waver your confidence to meet the moment. And I had some great looks to start the game. I knocked them down, kept the rhythm flowing.”

Curry finished the game with 36 points, including an astonishing 9 of 14 from beyond the arc. His performance was the best by any member of Team USA in the tournament and the second-highest-scoring game by an American in Olympic history, trailing only Carmelo Anthony’s 37-point outburst against Nigeria in 2012. “I haven’t had many opportunities and haven’t shot the ball well the whole tournament,” Curry admitted. “But it doesn’t waver your confidence to meet the moment, and I had some great looks to start the game. Knocked them down, kept the rhythm flowing, and the one in the fourth quarter – Joel set a great screen. Thankfully, they didn’t call that flop because it was bad, and knocking down a big shot like that, we live for those moments.”

Without Curry’s earlier flurry and timely shotmaking in the later stages, the United States was doomed. Durant likened this display to a “godlike performance” for the two-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion, saying about his former Golden State Warriors teammate, “He felt like he was struggling throughout the whole tournament, and we always say this, each night it can be somebody different. And he showed up in a way that. God was with him tonight, he was with us tonight through Steph. And shot after shot, getting a steal at the end, finishing with the layup, he was everywhere. It was one of the greatest games I have ever seen him play.”

James, who recorded his second Olympic triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, was the heart and soul of the American effort. It was only the fourth triple-double in Olympic history overall, with the only other players to do it being Luka Dončić and Alexander Belov. James’ leadership on both ends of the floor was evident, especially in the clutch moments of the fourth quarter. “I mean, it’s up there. I’m 39 years old, I’m on to my 22nd season, I don’t know how many opportunities and moments I’m gonna get like this to compete in big games, and tonight was a big game for us,” James said when reflecting on his performance.

While Curry and James provided clear standout performances, many significant contributions were made down the stretch, enabling the United States to pull off such a quick shift in the game.

Team USA received a total collective effort down the stretch

Joel Embiid, who had faced boos throughout the tournament for choosing to represent the United States over France, played his best game of the Olympics, contributing 19 points, including five in the decisive fourth quarter. Embiid’s presence in the paint was crucial in making Nikola Jokić work on both ends of the floor, which is a prime display of why he was recruited to join the squad in the first place. In the third quarter, he also delivered a monstrous dunk after getting Jokić to bite on a shot fake from the perimeter before driving the lane that sparked the American rally.

Kevin Durant, who had struggled for much of the game, came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring seven of his nine points in the final period. Despite his shooting woes, Durant’s defensive impact played a vital role in the comeback effort. His unselfish approach and contributions continue to be impressive as the all-time leading scorer for Team USA is chasing his fourth Olympic gold medal, a feat no men’s basketball player has ever achieved.

Serbia was magnificent for most of the game, with hot perimeter shooting from complementary talents providing Jokić with the necessary support to put the United States on the brink, often by playing out of dribble handoffs, pick-and-roll, and just simply maintaining player movement throughout a possession. Bogdan Bogdanović led Serbia with 20 points, taunting James sometimes and even mimicking Carmelo Anthony’s signature “3s to the dome” celebration. Jokić, who played 38 minutes, finished with 17 points and 11 assists, becoming the first player since Detlef Schrempf and Arvydas Sabonis in 1992 to record double-doubles in four consecutive Olympic games. Aleksa Avramović added 15 points, most of which came in the first half, as Serbia controlled the tempo and kept the U.S. on their heels.

For most of the game, it seemed as though Serbia was primed to pull off the upset of the tournament. They spent most of the game, and their 15 three-pointers were a testament to their nearly flawless execution. “They were perfect,” Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said. “They played a perfect game. Our coaches were saying Villanova-Georgetown (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; they got it done.”

The critical moment of the fourth quarter, and perhaps the game, came on what was effectively a six-point swing. After Durant’s three-pointer, Jokić was called for a foul on Anthony Davis, giving Team USA another possession. Devin Booker hit a three-pointer, cutting Serbia’s lead to five points. “It was a big sequence for sure, and we needed it,” Kerr acknowledged. The Americans never looked back, outscoring Serbia 32-15 in the final period to secure the win. “They’re a really good team, and it’s hard to beat the team three times but to come back the way we did — I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball, and that was special,” Curry said of his teammate’s impact.

With heightened defensive intensity from the United States, a long string of empty offensive possessions from Serbia led to favorable chances on the other end. It was a proper display of dominance from the Americans, who achieved such an impressive run and overall fourth quarter after largely struggling on the night.

Team USA now enters showdown against France for gold medal

Now, with the gold medal within reach, Team USA must prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable final against France. An unparalleled slate of matchups has become for men’s and women’s basketball, with the United States and France set to face off at Bercy Arena on Saturday.

As the final buzzer sounded, Team USA celebrated an improbable victory that showcased their incredible talent, with everyone on the court providing timely contributions. “You live for those moments,” Curry said. “About two minutes into the game tonight, you realize I’m getting looks. They’re playing a different type of defense on us, and obviously, they were scoring like crazy. … I shot three times last game, and I wasn’t looking to force it because that’s not what the game called for.”

The win advances Team USA to the gold medal game against France, a rematch of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics final. The atmosphere in Paris is expected to be electric, with French fans eager to see their team challenge the American juggernaut. The game will also feature Victor Wembanyama. Fans will direct their loudest boos at Joel Embiid, who chose to represent the United States over France, adding another layer of intensity to the already charged environment.

“I bet you all 12 of us could find one game where we went into a hostile environment,” Curry said, anticipating the challenge of facing France in Paris. “LeBron coming into our place in 2016 (Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals), whether it’s me, us (Golden State Warriors) going to Boston (Game 6 of 2022 NBA Finals). Wherever you aim it, somebody’s going to have a building that they went into and had to get a win, and we’re all going to have to do it together against France on their own court.”

When asked by reporters about the situation after this game, Embiid remained unsure of why the French fans have continued to boo him, saying, “Frankly, I don’t understand why I’ve gotten a lot of criticism from the crowd,” he stated before adding that he’s going to dish it right back at the crowd if it continues. “They’re going to boo me. I’m going to go back at them and tell them to ‘suck it.’ And so it’s going to be fun.” He made the WWE “crotch chop” gesture before walking off the court, further escalating his growing rivalry with the host nation.

Playing in the heart of Paris against a French team hungry for revenge, and with the home crowd cheering for their countrymen, Team USA will face a challenge as formidable as any they’ve encountered. If their performance against Serbia is any indication, the star-studded group is more than ready to rise to the occasion again.“I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball, and that was a special one,” Curry said, reflecting on the semifinal victory.

The United States faces one last challenge before winning a possible fifth consecutive gold medal. If successful, it would make Durant the first men’s basketball player to win four gold medals. He’s expecting what he described as “just another dogfight” against the host nation before adding, “It is at their home, and we know how the crowd is going to be. That is going to be the most watched game.”

Team USA faces France on Saturday, August 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET/ 12:30 p.m. PT. at the Accor Arena.