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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
PARIS — Ever since Serbia was able to squeeze out an Olympic bid at the World Cup last summer with all-world native son Nikola Jokic resting, the leadership of USA Basketball has been worried about a game like Thursday night’s 95-91 Olympic semifinal victory.
No team, no player incited more concern than the Serbians and Jokic in the medal round.
It was the basis for securing the commitment from Joel Embiid to play for the Americans. And to recruit the greatest collection of talent possible, calling on LeBron James and Steph Curry and Kevin Durant to come and secure another gold.
And it kept Steve Kerr and his coaching staff up this week, regardless of the previous blowout wins in these Olympics. It was a nightmare that almost came to life. Team USA was thrashing in the deep end, falling into all the classic traps that lead to historic upsets.
But the future Hall of Famers and the modern MVPs redeemed themselves with a dream comeback and now have left their own indelible mark.
Team USA surged back from 17 points down with a star-studded rally to defeat a valiant effort from Serbia.
Embiid played the finest game of his career against Jokic, delivering 19 points and a fiery push in the second half that verified his place in Team USA history.
James delivered only the fourth triple-double in Olympic history with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and had his hands on the steering wheel of the fourth-quarter push that added another chapter to his amazing career.
Durant made two enormous baskets, a 3-pointer that was part of a six-point possession that was crucial in the comeback. Then a jumper in the final minute that provided vital.
But Curry will have this moment. He scored 36 points, making a numbing 9-of-14 3-pointers and two free throws that sealed the victory. It was Curry at his absolute finest, unstoppable and carrying the U.S. through some dark moments where it looked sure to lose.
Jokic had 17 points and 11 assists but played most of the fourth with foul trouble, a factor that ended up hurting the Serbian upset bid. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points, delivering repeatedly against the Americans’ defense.
Team USA will face France on Saturday in a rematch of the 2021 Olympic final.