PARIS — Tuesday’s Olympic men’s basketball knockout round was eagerly anticipated and delivered on every front, turning the French capital into a basketball hotspot. The day felt like a thrilling college tournament, with four exciting games 2024 Olympic basketball unfolding in the same venue. Bercy Arena, now freed up after gymnastics, hosted this dramatic showdown.
The United States, Germany, France, and Serbia all secured their spots in the semifinals, which are set for Thursday. Here are the key highlights from Team USA’s impressive 112-80 win over Brazil, as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry moved closer to claiming gold.
Team USA Heeds Steve Kerr’s Advice
Before Tuesday’s game, Steve Kerr reminded his team of the day’s earlier drama at Bercy Arena. Greece built a 12-point lead over Germany in the morning, only for the World Cup champions to make a strong second-half comeback. Later, Serbia overcame a 24-point deficit against Australia, thanks to a spectacular finish from Nikola Jokić. Meanwhile, France pulled off a surprise victory over Canada, a top contender for the gold.
Kerr noted, “All three underdogs had significant leads at the end of the first quarter. We needed to come out and assert ourselves.” Throughout the month, Kerr’s challenges to his players—such as speeding up their game and sharpening their focus—have consistently resulted in positive responses.
Durant Sets an Olympic Record
Kevin Durant made history in the game by surpassing Lisa Leslie’s Team USA Olympic scoring record. With 11 points against Brazil, Durant now has 494 points, surpassing Leslie’s four-Olympics total by six. Durant’s teammates celebrated the milestone, presenting him with the game ball in the locker room.
Tatum Takes a Backseat Again
Jayson Tatum entered Tuesday’s game as the 11th player off the bench. Kerr tapped Tatum in the second quarter when Devin Booker faced foul trouble. Despite a standout performance against Puerto Rico, Tatum has mostly been a peripheral figure, highlighting the challenge Kerr faces in distributing playing time. Tatum logged 15 minutes, scoring five points and grabbing three rebounds, as Joel Embiid sat out the second half with a minor ankle injury.
Tatum reflected, “Every game is different, but winning is the priority. I’ll contribute however I can.”
LeBron’s Playmaking Shines
LeBron James delivered three standout passes in the Olympics, each showcasing his exceptional playmaking skills. Against Serbia, he connected a sharp pass to Durant, leading to a buzzer-beater. Against Puerto Rico, he executed a behind-the-back bounce pass to Embiid for an easy layup. On Tuesday, he threw a perfect inbound pass from half-court to Tatum for an alley-oop.
Kerr remarked, “I didn’t even see that play coming. It was impressive.”
With these thrilling performances and strategic play, Team USA looks poised for more success as the Olympic basketball tournament progresses.
