“You have to get it the hard way.”
LeBron James’ message after Team USA completed a historic comeback in the Olympic semifinals was simple, but it summed up everything that made the victory so impressive.
In the first half, the Americans trailed Serbia by as much as 17 points. Then, the team started the fourth quarter down by 13 points. Somehow, the U.S. managed to pull away for a four-point win in regulation.
Led by James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, Team USA completed a comeback that almost has to be seen to be believed. However, if you missed it, here’s a look at the Americans’ incredible effort against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic’s team.
Explaining the United States’ comeback against Serbia
While Team USA was down by 17 points in the second quarter, things were a bit more even in the second half. Serbia responded to every attack by Team USA, which kept the Americans at arm’s length throughout the third quarter.
After Jrue Holiday cut the deficit to six points with 3:30 left in the third quarter, Serbia responded with an 11-4 run to close the quarter and take a commanding 13-point lead into the fourth.
That’s when Team USA was finally able to turn things around completely.
In the first 2:42 of the fourth quarter, baskets by James, Curry, Durant and Devin Booker formed a 10-2 run that cut the deficit to five points with more than seven minutes to play.
Team USA is closing in on FIVE. We have a game at the Bercy Arena.
? USA Network and Peacock | #ParisOlympics image.twitter.com/mGrkXZ8PNu
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
Durant’s three-pointer was a key play, as Anthony Davis was fouled on the play, meaning the ball would remain in Team USA’s hands for another possession. Booker hit a three-pointer off an inbound pass, making the possession a six-pointer for Team USA.
Losing 78-73 with so much time remaining seemed much more manageable for Team USA.
The U.S. and Serbia traded baskets over the next few minutes before Embiid cut the deficit to four points after the free throw. With five minutes remaining, the gap was now four points.
On the next offensive possession, Embiid cut the lead to two points with a shot and the United States’ next stop led to a transition shot by James, who was clearly not going to be denied the ball in his path.
LEBRON JAMES TIES IT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ???#ParisOlympics | NBC, USA Network and Peacock image.twitter.com/B3puaz0kmJ
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
With 3:41 left the score was 84-84.
A dunk by Filip Petrusev with 3:20 left gave Serbia its final lead of the game, while a 3-pointer by Curry with 2:24 left gave the United States an 87-86 lead, the team’s first lead since much earlier in the game.
STEPHEN. CURRY. TEAM USA LEADS.#ParisOlympics | NBC, USA Network and Peacock photo.twitter.com/C4MUUl1v78
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
A few more stops and back-to-back baskets from James and Curry put Team USA up by five points with 1:41 remaining, and although there was plenty of time left on the clock, the momentum had completely shifted in Team USA’s favor.
Serbia had a few more chances, but Curry sealed the game with two free throws to bring his total to 36 points in the game, one shy of the U.S. Olympic basketball record.
In the 95-91 victory, Curry flirted with history with his scoring while James made history by achieving the fourth triple-double ever seen in Olympic basketball by scoring 16 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.
After a slow first half, Durant finished with an impressive nine points while Embiid had his best performance of the tournament, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
After winning the hard way, Team USA will look for its fifth consecutive gold medal when it faces host country France in a rematch of the gold medal game from the Tokyo Games.
