The late NBA commissioner’s dream of growing the highest levels of basketball far outside of the United States’ borders couldn’t be more evident than the reigning, three-time NBA MVP heading into the opening game of his Olympics tournament to face Team USA.
From the experts at Yahoo Sports
Nikola Jokić gets top billing every time he steps on the court for the Denver Nuggets, but he’ll have a tall task in leading Serbia into Group C play against a Team USA loaded with basketball icons up and down the roster. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum lead a host of future Hall of Famers into Paris, with the USA looking for an eighth gold medal in nine tries since the Dream Team first featured NBA players at the Olympics in 1992.
Date: Sunday, July 28
Time: 11:15 a.m. ET/8:15 a.m. PT
Where: Pierre Mauroy Stadium | Lille, France
TV channel: USA Network
Streaming: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com
Stay with Yahoo Sports for live updates throughout the game as Team USA takes on Serbia in one of the most highly anticipated Olympic men’s basketball group stage matchups of the modern era.
Kevin Durant is making it rain in Paris. He’s 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and has 21 points as the game heads into the break. He finishes with a pretty falling fadeaway at the buzzer to put the U.S. up 9 points. What a difference he makes when he’s in the lineup.
Just like that, Serbia has cut it down to 46-44 with an 8-0 run of its own that included a 4-point play from Ognjen Dobric.
LeBron James and KD are both in double figures now for the U.S. as they pull back out to a 10-point lead.
We’re at the midway point in the second quarter and Jokić is starting to settle in. He has 12 points and 3 assists as Serbia has cut it to 40-36.
Make that 14 points for Kevin Durant. He’s 4-for-4 from deep, and he made that last 3-pointer with three-time MVP Nikola Jokić right in his face.
The Americans have taken a 32-23 lead early in the second quarter. That makes it an 18-3 run between the two quarters. Kevin Durant has found his rhythm and has 11 points since being subbed on.
End of Q1: USA 25, Serbia 20
Anthony Davis gets his second foul, and gets subbed out. LeBron James checks back in.
Anthony Edwards gets a huge dunk to send the U.S. into the second quarter with a 25-20 lead.
Another Durant three, and USA takes the 23-20 lead.
Kevin Durant has checked in for the U.S., after missing practices and exhibitions with a minor calf injury. It doesn’t take long for him to drain a three and get the USA back into the groove. They’ve certainly missed him.
Anthony Edwards hits a three to get the U.S. back even with Serbia, 20-20.
The Serbian crowd is very vocal here on the ground in Paris. It must feel like playing in an opposing college arena for Team USA. They’ve shaken off the slow start at least and have taken their first lead of the game.
James gets an and-one, and USA is finally ahead, 14-12.
Curry drains a three, and it’s a welcome momentum shift for the U.S.
After some back and forth, Booker gets a three of his own to bring USA within one point.
A hearty LeBron James dunk gets Team USA its first points, but Serbia looks dominant, pulling to a 10-2 lead before the U.S. is forced to take a timeout.
Things aren’t off to a great start for the reigning Olympic gold medalists, as Serbia gets up to a 4-0 lead. Joel Embiid — still getting booed by the French crowd — misses two free throws to keep the U.S. scoreless.
Team USA announces its starting five
The U.S. will start with Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid in he lineup.
Joel Embiid gets resounding boos from the fans during @usabasketball intros. The Cameroon native opted to play for USA instead of France.
Serbia enters first, running halfcourt-to-end line jogs, drills, knee lifts and kicks. Jokic is one of the slowest. Maximum energy conservation. Masterful gambit.
Just in time for Team USA to face Serbia on Sunday, they got some positive news about one of their stars. Kevin Durant, who missed all five of Team USA’s pre-Olympics exhibition games with a sore calf, has been cleared to play in the opening game.
After missing camp and exhibition games due to calf injury, Kevin Durant has been cleared for action in Team USA’s Olympic opener vs. Serbia today. pic.twitter.com/aZ5mN5QpFo
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