NBA world reacts to Team USA's epic Olympic semifinals comeback against Serbia: 'What a game'

David Suggs

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NBA world reacts to Team USA's epic Olympic semifinals comeback against Serbia: 'What a game' image

Team USA were second best for much of the first 35 minutes of its Olympic semifinal clash with Serbia, unable to put the clamps down on the impressive play from the menacing triumvirate of three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Hawks swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Euroleague standout Aleksa Avramovic.

That wasn't the whole game, however, and after five minutes of bliss — accentuated by airy Stephen Curry threes, stepback jumpers from the likes of Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant, and the timeless play of LeBron James — it was Steve Kerr's squad that punched its ticket to Saturday's gold-medal game against France.

Thursday's matchup teemed with intrigue as Team USA attempted to vanquish the Jokic and his Serbian compatriots for a third time this summer. The hardwood may as well have been a four-sided ring, for these two rosters were more prizefighter than anything else, dazing each other with blow after blow beneath the glimmering Bercy Arena lights.

MORE: Stephen Curry's 36-point explosion leads USA's miraculous comeback over Serbia

Serbia opened up a 17-point advantage that looked like a gulf, especially as players like Bogdanovic, Ogjnen Dobric, and Marko Guduric saw long-range attempts nestle into the nylon.

Curry was omnipresent, finding the target time and time again to keep USA within striking distance. He recorded 36 points and eight rebounds, his point total serving as the second-highest individual game tally in USA basketball history.

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He was far from the only one who conjured up magic as the game dwindled toward its crescendo. Embiid shook off the cobwebs, pouring 18 points into an American side in desperate need of them. That's not to mention James, who, at 39, became the fourth man to record a triple-double during the Olympics.

Fueled by the late-game heroics of Team USA's collection of former MVPs — including Durant — Kerr's side found life. After Curry hit a triple with 2:24 left, it had the lead, too, one it wouldn't relinquish despite Serbia's best efforts.

The basketball world was plenty attuned to the action as it happened from France's capital city on Thursday. With that, here's a look at some of the sport's most compelling reactions to USA's 95-91 victory over Serbia.

MORE: Full stats, box score from USA vs. Serbia semifinals

NBA world reacts to Team USA's comeback win over Serbia

USA will play France at 3:30 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. local time) at Paris' Bercy Arena.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.