Kevin Durant Shatters Scoring Record as Team USA Dominates Brazil in Paris 2024
Paris, August 2024 — Team USA’s men’s basketball team continues its dominant march in the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing a semi-final berth with a resounding 122-87 victory over Brazil. The match was more of a warm-up than a challenge, with the Americans leading for the final 38 minutes and 40 seconds. The win not only showcased their efficiency and depth but also saw Kevin Durant break the Team USA all-time Olympic scoring record, surpassing Lisa Leslie.
The game saw Team USA maintaining sharpness and health while allowing center Joel Embiid to regain his confidence with a stellar first half. Despite a brief lackluster stretch in the second quarter, the team’s performance was generally crisp and commanding. This victory adds to their unblemished run in the Olympic tournament, where they’ve won each game by an average of 24.75 points.
As they chase perfection with a roster packed with 12 of the world’s top players, the motivation remains clear: the gold medal. With a semi-final match against Serbia on Thursday—a team they defeated by 26 points in Group C play—Team USA remains vigilant.
“Every game is its own test,” said forward LeBron James. “It doesn’t matter what happened before; it’s about what goes down Thursday night. So we need to lock in on our film session tomorrow, lock in during the day on Thursday, and then come out and be ready to go.”
Devin Booker Shines for Team USA
Devin Booker led the team with 18 points, including five three-pointers, and five other players scored in double figures. The depth of the team has been a significant advantage, with seven of the 12 players averaging at least 9.5 points over the first four games.
“That’s what our team is built on, depth,” James remarked. “Any night, we could have anybody get it going as far as the scoring load—‘Book’ had it from the start all the way to the finish. Offensively, we have to continue to help each other, spread the ball out, and be in a great rhythm.”
Injury Concern for LeBron James
The only hiccup in Team USA’s game was an injury scare for LeBron James, who was hit above the eye by Brazil’s Georginho de Paula in the third quarter. James was on the floor for several moments before heading to the bench and then the locker room for treatment. He returned to the bench later, assuring fans, “I’m alright. I got hit with an inadvertent elbow around the eye.”
Kevin Durant’s Record-Breaking Moment
Kevin Durant’s achievement of becoming Team USA’s all-time leading Olympic scorer was a highlight of the night. The crowd at Bercy Arena gave a warm round of applause when the announcement was made, celebrating Durant’s longevity and scoring prowess.
“Records are meant to be broken, so somebody will come along and do the same,” Durant said. “We’re just focused on trying to win this gold.”
LeBron James added, “He was born to play ball, and he’s simply incredible. I’m happy for him, congratulations to him, super proud of him, and he has got more to go.”
Looking Ahead
With only two more games remaining, starting with Thursday’s clash against Serbia, Team USA’s focus is on continuous improvement. Their unselfish play and versatility have simplified Coach Steve Kerr’s job, allowing any player to shine on any given day.
“There’s no real challenge with [balance] other than just reminding the team that that’s the beauty and the strength of our team—it can be any one of these guys there,” Coach Kerr stated. “They all have to carry their franchises individually when they go back to the NBA. So we know they’re capable of carrying our team on any given day, but we don’t know who it’s going to be, and that’s the strength of the team. As long as we play the right way and move the ball, somebody’s going to get hot. That’s how we feel.”
The journey towards Olympic gold continues for Team USA, with their eyes firmly set on the prize and their performance reflecting a team united in purpose and talent.
