In the opening Olympic event, LeBron James made a spectacular return to Olympic basketball on Sunday, showcasing an outstanding performance in a 110-84 win over Serbia.
LeBron James had an outstanding game, amassing 21 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists. He was the standout performer for Team USA, consistently demonstrating his leadership abilities by launching fast breaks from the US backcourt. His performance was particularly remarkable in the third quarter, where he overcame a Serbian defender with great force and executed a difficult contested layup. This four-time NBA champion is undeniably a formidable presence.
During the first half, Kevin Durant stole the limelight with an outstanding 21 points, achieving a remarkable 8-for-8 shooting accuracy. This represents Durant's fourth Olympic appearance, highlighting his unwavering dedication to this esteemed competition, despite already being a two-time NBA champion.
Anthony Edwards made a dazzling Olympic debut, showcasing his first highlight reel moment. During Team USA's final possession of the third quarter, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard executed a smooth spin and pump fake along the baseline, successfully baiting a Serbian defender into misjudging his move and lunging towards the sideline. By doing so, Edwards effectively created space for an open and uncontested shot at the basket.
It appeared to be the defining moment when Team USA gained momentum and surged towards a commanding victory after Serbia had put up a competitive fight in the first three quarters of the game.
Curry's accurate three-point shooting proved to be a crucial advantage from the outset, despite Serbia's strong start. His timely baskets in the first quarter helped to neutralize the Europeans' momentum and prevented the US from facing a significant deficit.
The star player from the Golden State Warriors remained relatively quiet for the remainder of the game, experiencing a few missed opportunities that he would likely wish to have another opportunity to make, given his adjustment to the shorter international three-point line. He capped off his performance with an emphatic three-pointer, bringing his total points scored to 11 for the game.
Serbia is expected to be a significant and formidable presence in the tournament, largely due to the influence of their talented forward, Nikola Jokić. Despite Team USA gaining momentum in the second half, Serbia remained steadfast and resilient throughout. Jokić, a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, concluded the game with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, highlighting the determination and prowess of his team.