Team USA’s Stephen Curry Leads Stunning Comeback Against Serbia in Olympic Semifinals
Stephen Curry led a thrilling comeback for Team USA, propelling them to a 95-91 victory over Serbia in the semifinals of the men’s basketball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The sold-out crowd at Bercy Arena was on the edge of their seats as Serbia appeared poised to eliminate the American team.
Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, executed a nearly flawless game plan, keeping Team USA at bay for most of the match. Jokic’s floater with just over eight minutes left gave Serbia a double-digit lead, and the Americans looked vulnerable, trailing by as much as 15 points in the third quarter.
However, Team USA, which had previously defeated Serbia in group play and a friendly match, found a way to rally. Key contributions from Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Curry ignited a game-ending run that turned the tide.
“Serbia was brilliant today, and I’m really humbled to have been a part of this game,” said USA coach Steve Kerr. “One of the greatest basketball games I’ve ever been a part of. Serbia was perfect. They forced us to reach the highest level of competition that we could find.”
With Jokic in foul trouble and Serbia beginning to tire, Team USA capitalized on the opportunity. Embiid, in his best game of the tournament, and James tied the game at 84 with just over three minutes remaining.
Curry then hit a critical three-pointer, giving the USA the lead for good. James and Curry extended the advantage, and Durant sealed the victory with a midrange jumper in the final seconds.
Curry, who had struggled earlier in the tournament, found his rhythm when it mattered most, finishing with 36 points, including nine three-pointers. His performance earned high praise from teammates and coaches alike.
LeBron James Praised Stephen Curry
“Perseverance, hard work, dedication. It was ‘Chef’ Curry and the ‘Process’ (Embiid),” James said. “Big-time win for us. We knew we were going to be challenged, but it was a true total effort.”
Serbia’s offense, which had been red-hot through three quarters, cooled off in the fourth, missing all nine of its three-point attempts. In contrast, Team USA made 13 of 17 shots in the final period, with Curry leading the charge.
“We tried not to get too discouraged,” Durant said. “They hit us pretty hard late in the third quarter, but we just kept pushing. We were able to pressure them, get them to miss shots, and we were out on the break.”
The win sets up a gold medal showdown between Team USA and host nation France on Saturday. The Americans will need another stellar performance to secure their place atop the podium.
As Curry reflected on the game, he acknowledged the challenges of the tournament but remained confident in his and the team’s abilities.
“I haven’t had many opportunities and haven’t shot the ball well the whole tournament, but it doesn’t waver your confidence to meet the moment,” Curry said. “Tonight, I realized I’m getting looks, and it’s the beauty of Team USA and this whole experience.”
