Team USA clinched an all-important win against Serbia in the semifinals of the men’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics. Unlike their first encounter at the group stages, this was a hotly contested game in which individual performances saved the day for the United States. In appreciation, Kevin Durant has hailed teammate Stephen Curry for putting in a spectacular performance to help the team.
In a game between two star-studded teams filled with NBA legends and MVPs inside Bercy Arena, Curry was the brightest star as he led the USA from 17 points down to booking a place in the Finals with France. That heroic performance against Nikola Jokic and Serbia has drawn praise from Durant, who claims God was with his teammate on the night.
Steph, man… That was a godlike performance. That was tough because he felt like he was struggling throughout the whole tournament… And tonight, he showed up. God was with him tonight… He was everywhere. It was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen him play.
Kevin Durant said after the game in an interview with BasketNews
Kevin Durant on Steph Curry:
“That was a godlike performance. God was with him tonight. It was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen him play.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) August 8, 2024
According to KD, the performance by Curry last night was one of the best shifts he’s seen him put in. Especially given the fact that the 36-year-old shooting guard hasn’t felt at his best in prior games at the tournament. So, to rise up to the moment when the team needed him and play like that was definitely elite class.
Curry led all scorers in the game with 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including nine 3-pointers! He also played a team-high 33 out of 40 minutes. His game stats from the 95-91 comeback win against Serbia are even more unbelievable when one considers this is the NBA star’s first-ever Olympics.
Stephen Curry’s shooting came to life at the right time for Team USA
In previous games at the tournament, Curry had come under backlash from fans for poor performances. Particularly against South Sudan, with many people saying he wasn’t fully involved mentally with the team.
In that game where the USA breezed past their opponents 103-86, Curry couldn’t find his stroke or even his rhythm. The Golden State Warriors player shot just 1-of-9 from the field, including 0-for-6 from 3.
“There is no doubt, Steph’s struggling. … Team USA’s greatest strength is their depth and they can survive a game where Steph goes 1-9.”@WindhorstESPN says the men’s national team isn’t worried about Curry’s recent offensive struggles. pic.twitter.com/Sk1G9JWuUY
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 1, 2024
However, in stark contrast, he found his shooting at the right time against a Serbia team led by three-time MVP Award winner Jokic. Ahead of the game, Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic said his team are all out to get an Olympic medal and fears no one, not even the Americans. Nonetheless, Curry rose up to the occasion with a ‘god-like’ performance, where he scored 36 points to help Team USA to the Finals.
