The United States men’s basketball team continued their dominant run in the Paris 2024 Olympics, crushing Brazil 122-87 in the quarterfinals. This victory secures their spot in the semifinals, where they will face Serbia in a highly anticipated matchup.Devin Booker led the balanced US offense with 18 points, while LeBron James contributed 12 points and 9 assists before exiting the game in the third quarter due to an eye injury that required four stitches. The depth of the US team was on full display, with six players scoring in double figures.A significant milestone was achieved during the game as Kevin Durant scored 11 points, surpassing Lisa Leslie to become the all-time leading scorer in US Olympic basketball history, combining both men’s and women’s records. This achievement underscores Durant’s consistent excellence across multiple Olympic appearances.The US team’s victory sets up a compelling semifinal clash with Serbia, led by NBA star Nikola Jokić. Serbia advanced after a thrilling comeback victory over Australia, overcoming a 24-point deficit to win 95-90 in overtime.In the other bracket, host nation France surprised Canada with an 82-73 victory, while Germany defeated Greece 76-63. These results set up the second semifinal between France and Germany.As the tournament progresses, the US team, often referred to as the ‘Dream Team’, remains the favorite for gold. However, the emergence of strong performances from other nations, particularly Serbia’s resilience and France’s home court advantage, suggests that the path to the gold medal game on Saturday night will be fiercely contested.
Key points
- US men’s basketball team defeated Brazil 122-87 in the Olympic quarterfinals.
- Kevin Durant became the all-time leading scorer in US Olympic basketball history.
- The US will face Serbia in the semifinals, while France will play Germany.
- LeBron James left the game with an eye injury but is expected to play in the semifinals.
