The United States advanced to the Olympic basketball semifinals with a commanding 122-87 victory over Brazil on Tuesday, setting up a clash with Serbia, who staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Australia. In another semifinal, hosts France will face World Cup champions Germany.
U.S. Dominates with Depth and Precision
Team USA showcased their depth and versatility, with six players scoring in double figures. Devin Booker led the charge with 18 points, while Anthony Edwards added 17. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James contributed 12 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and three steals before exiting in the third quarter after taking an accidental elbow to the eye.
James briefly left for the locker room but returned to support his team as they completed another impressive victory. The Americans were on fire, shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from three-point range. Their aggressive defense also produced nine steals and six blocks, with numerous highlight-reel dunks adding to their dominance.
“That’s what our team is built on, depth and, you know, we can have anybody get it going as far as scoring,” James said. “We understand what the main goal is. The only main goal is for us to win gold, that’s all I care about.”
Anthony Davis contributed 13 points, while Kevin Durant added 11. Durant made history with a third-quarter dunk that brought his Olympic career total to 489 points, surpassing Lisa Leslie as the top scorer among all U.S. Olympic basketball players.
Brazil Struggles Against U.S. Firepower
Brazil was led by Bruno Caboclo, who scored 30 points, but the team struggled to keep pace with the Americans’ relentless offense. The victory ensures the U.S. a spot in the semifinals, where they will face a formidable Serbian team.
Serbia’s Stunning Comeback Against Australia
Serbia advanced to the semifinals after a thrilling 95-90 overtime win against Australia. NBA MVP Nikola Jokic starred with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 17 points. Five Serbian players scored in double figures, a testament to their balanced attack.
Australia’s Patty Mills delivered a heroic performance with 26 points, including a 14-point streak that sparked a 20-0 run. Josh Giddey also shone, scoring 25 points. However, Serbia outscored Australia 25-11 in the third quarter, taking a 67-65 lead into the final period.
Mills forced overtime with a clutch jump shot over Jokic, but Jokic responded with crucial back-to-back baskets in overtime, securing Serbia’s win with a 93-90 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
Bogdanovic described the atmosphere in Serbia’s locker room at halftime as “a lot of madness,” but credited the team for finding momentum in the second quarter.
