Stephen Curry led the United States men's basketball team to a dominant 105-79 victory over Serbia in their third exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing his offensive prowess and contributing to a solid defensive performance.
Stephen Curry, who had been relatively quiet during the U.S. men's basketball team's first two exhibitions before the 2024 Paris Olympics, erupted for 24 points in their official Olympic debut against Serbia. Curry's assertive display, coupled with Bam Adebayo's 17-point contribution, helped the U.S. secure a 105-79 victory and improve their exhibition record to 3-0.
Anthony Davis, with his seven points, six rebounds, and six blocks, anchored a formidable U.S. defense that kept Serbia in check throughout the contest. Anthony Edwards contributed 16 points, while LeBron James added 11.
Team USA Soars Over Serbia, Curry Shines in Olympic Debut
The U.S. seized a substantial 31-point lead in the second game of their warmup series in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The team's next stop is London, where they will face South Sudan on Saturday and Germany on Monday at the O2 Arena.
The U.S. faced a sluggish start but rallied with a 16-2 run in the second quarter to gain a 56-42 advantage. They maintained their lead throughout the first half, ending the second quarter with a 59-45 score.
Nikola Jokic, the Serbian star, accounted for 16 points and 11 rebounds for his team, while Aleksa Avramovic added 14 points. Serbia's performance in this game served as a crucial preview for both teams, as they are scheduled to face off in Group C of the upcoming Olympics. Their opening match is set for July 28.
After their narrow victory over Australia on Monday, where they nearly squandered a sizable lead, the U.S. team demonstrated resilience and maintained their advantage throughout the Serbia game. They extended their lead to 25 points after three quarters and quickly increased it to 30 in the final quarter.
Team USA continues to experiment with their starting lineup, fielding a different combination for the third exhibition game. Curry, James, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid took the court as starters. Curry, James, and Embiid have been the only consistent players in the starting lineup over the three exhibitions.
Embiid's inclusion on the roster was motivated by the U.S. coaching staff's desire to counter larger teams like Serbia, which boasts three 7-footers. While Embiid's conditioning is still not at its peak, he made his presence felt on both ends of the court.
For the second consecutive game, the U.S. reserves proved their worth. Edwards, Davis, Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton, and Devin Booker entered the game with approximately four and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter and trailing 16-13. Their impact was immediate, as they outscored Serbia 15-12 in the remainder of the period, leaving the game tied at 28 heading into the second quarter.
Kevin Durant remained sidelined for the third consecutive game due to a calf strain suffered early in training camp. However, guard Derrick White made his debut after joining the team over the weekend as Kawhi Leonard's replacement.
