Team USA Triumphs Over Serbia in Opening Game of 2024 Paris Olympics
In a commanding display, Team USA clinched their first victory in the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 110-84 win over Serbia. The game, held on Monday, showcased the depth and versatility of the American roster, drawing attention not only for the final score but also for some surprising lineup adjustments.
One of the most notable surprises was the absence of Jayson Tatum, a pivotal player for the Boston Celtics. Tatum, who logged zero minutes against Serbia, had averaged 17.6 minutes across the five exhibition games leading up to the Olympics. When asked about his status, Tatum succinctly replied, "No, I'm good."
Tatum's absence came as Kevin Durant rejoined the lineup, marking his first appearance after sitting out the friendlies prior to the Serbia game. Durant’s return saw him taking Tatum's spot in the rotation. Head coach Steve Kerr explained the decision, saying, "I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He'll make his mark." Kerr further clarified that the DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) was mostly a result of getting Durant back on the court.
The starting lineup for Team USA featured a star-studded array of talent, including Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. Of particular note was Embiid, who, despite missing recent practices due to illness, played an important role in the game against Serbia.
In terms of player rotation, Derrick White took over point guard duties for the second unit across the last two-and-a-half games, filling in for Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined and did not participate in the game against Serbia.
As the team looks forward to their upcoming matches, they aim to maintain the momentum from their robust victory over Serbia. Team USA is set to face South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, followed by a showdown with Puerto Rico next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. These fixtures will be crucial in solidifying their group stage dominance and paving the way toward another Olympic gold.