USA’s thriller: from 17 down to 95 up! Curry’s hot hand sends Serbia packing, sets up showdown with France
In a game that had American fans on the edge of their seats, Team USA pulled off a heart-stopping comeback against Serbia, winning 95-91 and punching their ticket to the Olympic final in Paris. Down by 17 points in the second quarter, it looked like the Europeans were ready to send the Americans packing. But then, Stephen Curry happened.
8/8/20242 min read
The Golden State Warriors’ superstar put on a vintage performance, lighting up the scoreboard with 36 points and nailing nine three-pointers, proving once again why he’s considered one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen. Curry’s heroics were the driving force behind the USA’s resurgence, and his performance was just enough to outshine the formidable Serbian trio of Nikola Jokić, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Aleska Avramovic, who combined for 51 points.
The first half was all Serbia, as they executed their game plan to near perfection, extending their lead to 17 points. Jokić, the reigning NBA MVP, had a relatively quiet start but soon found his rhythm, swatting LeBron James and drawing a foul on the other end. Despite Curry’s early flurry, the Serbians managed to maintain an 11-point lead at halftime, leaving the Americans searching for answers.
But the second half was a different story. Curry continued his torrid pace, and LeBron James, showing no signs of age, chipped in with 16 points, including some crucial buckets that kept the USA within striking distance. Kevin Durant, hampered by early foul trouble, had a subdued game by his standards, finishing with nine points. However, he came up clutch in the final minute, helping to seal the victory.
Serbia fought valiantly, with Marko Guduric extending the lead to 13 points at one point, but the Americans clawed back, thanks to a relentless effort on both ends of the court. LeBron’s 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists were crucial in turning the tide, and a late-game surge saw the USA finally take control with just minutes left.
As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear: USA had survived. The Dream Team will now face France in the final, a matchup that promises to be just as thrilling. France, who narrowly defeated European champions Germany 73-69, will have to contend with Joel Embiid, who scored 19 points in this game but now faces the country where he holds citizenship.
Embiid’s story adds another layer of intrigue to the final. Earlier this year, there was much speculation about which national team he would represent: his native Cameroon, the USA, or France. With his choice now clear, the stage is set for an epic showdown, as the USA seeks its 18th Olympic gold medal.