Inside The Celtics

After Beating Brazil, Team USA to Face Serbia in Semifinals

Bobby Krivitsky

Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States guard LeBron James (6), small forward Jayson Tatum (10), shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and center Joel Embiid (11) in the second quarter against Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States guard LeBron James (6), small forward Jayson Tatum (10), shooting guard Stephen Curry (4) and center Joel Embiid (11) in the second quarter against Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
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The United States men's basketball team went 3-0 in group play, producing the highest point differential (+64) and earning the top No. 1 overall seed in knockout play.

Team USA followed that up with a dominant display against Brazil in a 122-87 win in the quarterfinals. Kevin Durant became the all-time leading scorer in USA basketball history, registering 11 points on Tuesday in Paris, giving him 494 in his Olympic career, surpassing Lisa Leslie's 488 points.

The Celtics' backcourt shined in the victory: Jrue Holiday, who started after missing Team USA's 104-83 win vs. Puerto Rico on Saturday due to an ankle injury, contributed nine points, three assists, and two blocks.

Derrick White stuffed the stat sheet, generating five points, four assists, the second-most on the U.S. side behind LeBron James, four rebounds, and two rejections.

Jayson Tatum finished with five points and three rebounds. He also had an assist, swiped a steal, and chipped into Boston's triumvirate combining for five of Team USA's seven blocks. And he capped the first half in style, throwing down an alley-oop on a dime from James on a sideline inbound.

Next, Team USA will face Serbia in a semifinal matchup on Thursday. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic led the Serbian men's basketball team to a 95-90 overtime win against Australia on Tuesday, generating 21 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.

Thursday's tilt between Team USA and Serbia will tip off at 3 p.m. EST.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Stuffs the Stat Sheet in Team USA's Win vs. Puerto Rico

Here's What to Know about Jaylen Brown's Boston XChange

Jrue Holiday, Derrick White Discuss Team USA's Opening Olympic Win

Jayson Tatum Gets Candid about Relationship with Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Published
Bobby Krivitsky

BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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