The Team USA win over Serbia featured plenty of LeBron James and Kevin Durant but none of Jayson Tatum. After the win in the opening game of the tournament, head coach Steve Kerr said he felt like an idiot for not getting Tatum on the court.
“[Jayson Tatum] handled it well. I talked to him today before the game, that it may play out this way just with Kevin coming back,” Kerr said to ESPN. “I felt like an idiot not playing him.”
“[Jayson Tatum] handled it well. I talked to him today before the game, that it may play out this way just with Kevin [Durant] coming back… I felt like an idiot not playing him… [In] a 40-minute game, you can't play more than 10."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 28, 2024
— Steve Kerr 👀pic.twitter.com/Xxs5eRFbt9
In a dominant display, LeBron James and Kevin Durant propelled the U.S. Men’s National Team to a 110-84 win over Serbia in their opening group phase game. LeBron, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and Durant, USA Basketball’s all-time leading scorer, showcased their exceptional talents in this crucial match.
Serbia initially stunned the USA with a quick 10-2 lead, prompting coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout just 2:41 into the game. The tide turned when Durant, who had missed all five preparation games due to a calf strain, entered the game with 2:33 left in the first quarter. Durant’s presence ignited an 18-3 run for the USA, coinciding with Serbia’s Nikola Jokic heading to the bench.
Kevin Durant’s return to play for #USABMNT has been SENSATIONAL 🌟
— NBA (@NBA) July 28, 2024
21 PTS
8-8 FGM
5-5 3PM
2Q buzzer-beater
KD is DIFFERENT! 👀pic.twitter.com/YaWC0T2Z2t
Durant’s first-half performance was flawless, scoring 21 points on 8-for-8 shooting, including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. LeBron complemented Durant’s efforts, scoring 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting and adding 5 assists and 3 rebounds. The USA led by nine points at halftime.
Durant finished with 23 points, while LeBron added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. The USA also saw strong contributions from Jrue Holiday (15 points), Stephen Curry (11 points), and Anthony Edwards (11 points). Despite Jokic’s impressive 20 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals, Serbia struggled, particularly during Jokic’s nine minutes on the bench, where 26 points outscored them.
The group phase continues Wednesday, with the USA facing South Sudan at 3 p.m. ET and Serbia taking on Puerto Rico at 11:15 a.m. ET.
