Team USA basketball looked wobbly at times in its five exhibition games leading up to the 2024 Summer Olympics. As a result, there was a measure of concern that it could perhaps fall short in its quest for the gold medal.
On the other hand, Kevin Durant had been out for a while with a calf strain. His ability to create and hit shots in one-on-one situations was missed.
But Durant returned for Team USA’s first game of group play on Sunday, and he was sensational. He scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-9 overall shooting while making all five of his 3-point attempts in a 110-84 win.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James led the way with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Afterward, he showed his gratitude for getting to play alongside the Phoenix Suns’ future Hall of Famer.
“To have KD on my side is a treat for sure.”
LeBron James with some praise for Kevin Durant after Team USA's win over Serbia 🙌
(via @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/tCBprTOQ79
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 28, 2024
“I think we just bring out the best in one another,” said James. “We’re very seasoned to the FIBA games. We’ve played a lot of international basketball when it comes to the Olympics and [FIBA] World Championships. To have KD on our side, to have KD on my side is a treat for sure.”
James and Durant, of course, faced each other in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals. Durant’s Golden State Warriors won both times, contributing to James’ 4-6 lifetime record in the championship series. It must be refreshing for James to be on the same team as Durant rather than battling against him on a big stage.
As long as the United States plays up to its potential, it isn’t easy to imagine it leaving Paris without the gold medal. Its next game will take place on Wednesday against a South Sudan team it barely beat just days ago.
