Kevin Durant Reacts to Team USA's First Olympic Win

Team USA benefited from Kevin Durant's monster performance.

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Kevin Durant (7) arrives for a game against Canada for the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

It was unknown if Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant would even play in the Olympics after a calf strain kept him out of all five of Team USA's exhibition games.

Not only did Durant feature for the Americans in their opening win over Serbia in Paris, he was one of a few key reasons why Team USA started their campaign with a win.

Coming off the bench, Durant dropped 23 points on eight-of-nine shooting from the field, which included going 5-5 on three-point attempts to defeat Serbia.

Durant didn't miss a single shot in the first half:

ZERO missed shots for Kevin Durant in the first half.

Easy money. 🔥 #ParisOlympics

📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/nOa595PqAV

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 28, 2024

According to ESPN, Durant previously never scored 20 pts on 100% from the field in any half of his NBA career, including the postseason. Durant finished with 21 points on 8-8 shooting in the first half.

"The energy in here was incredible and there's so many people in here supporting the game of basketball - it's just lovely to see," Durant said in a post-game interview with NBC.

"Leg felt great. I've been building with these guys for the last couple of weeks and I've been itching to get out on the floor. Training staff has been doing a great job with me so I'm happy that I'm out there with the guys now being a part of the team and it's a great first start for us."

The United States will play their second game on Wednesday against South Sudan.