Team USA defeated Serbia 95-91 to reach the Olympic gold medal game. But the win came in the last 4 minutes as the team trailed the whole game.
Draymond Green has voiced sharp criticism towards the United States’ and his own coach following a dramatic win against Serbia saved by Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, who pulled the team back from the edge of elimination.
The trio’s heroic efforts culminated in a stunning 32-15 surge in the fourth quarter, with LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, playing a pivotal role in shutting down Jokic. This comeback propelled Team USA into the gold medal match, where they are set to face Victor Wembanyama’s formidable French squad.
Despite Serbia relying heavily on their lone standout player, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, they weren’t expected to pose a significant threat to a US team that had comfortably defeated them 110-84 just weeks earlier, on July 28. However, the game took a tense turn, leading Draymond Green to place the blame squarely on coach Steve Kerr.
During his “Draymond Green Show,” Green criticized Kerr’s decision-making, particularly the choice to bench Jayson Tatum. “Not playing [Jayson Tatum] was wrong,” Green asserted. “We all know it was wrong. He should’ve been on the floor. From the outside looking in, [Kerr’s response] feels like an acknowledgment that the coaching staff made a mistake.”
When is the 2024 Olympic Games gold medal match?
On Thursday, August 8, Team USA found themselves trailing by 17 points to an inspired Serbian team led by Nikola Jokic, with their Olympic hopes hanging by a thread as Jayson Tatum remained on the bench. However, they ultimately managed to turn the game around.
Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors delivered a phenomenal performance, scoring 36 points, while LeBron James recorded just the second triple-double in US Men’s Basketball history—the first being his own as well. It was the veteran players who led the charge, pushing the USA into the championship game.
The final showdown will take place at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, on Saturday, August 10, at 14:30 ET/11:30 PT, where the US team will compete for either gold or silver.
Standing in their way will be the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, after France secured their spot in the final by defeating the FIBA World Cup champions, Germany, 73-69, in front of a home crowd.
