Paris Hosts Olympic Basketball Knockout Round at Bercy Arena
In a thrilling showdown at Paris' largest venue, Bercy Arena, the Olympic men's basketball knockout round delivered high tensions and even higher scores on Tuesday.
Team USA showcased their dominance, securing a convincing 112-80 victory over Brazil. The match saw standout performances from superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, who led their team to victory with skill and precision. Kevin Durant's performance was particularly notable as he broke Lisa Leslie’s Team USA Olympic scoring record, amassing 494 points over his illustrious Olympic career.
Jayson Tatum added to the excitement with a double-double, chalking up 10 points and 10 rebounds despite Joel Embiid sitting out the second half due to a minor ankle injury. Reflecting on his performance, Tatum remarked, "Each game is extremely different, but the main thing is that we win. So whatever I got to do from game to game to be a part of that and contribute when I can, I'm going to do that."
Head Coach Steve Kerr couldn't have planned a better start to Team USA’s knockout stage. "All three had big leads at the end of the first quarter. And we wanted to come out and make sure we were the aggressor," he emphasized. Kerr's strategy paid off as the team set a high tempo from the outset, keeping Brazil perpetually on the back foot.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Germany pulled off a spectacular comeback to defeat Greece. Overcoming a substantial 12-point deficit, Germany's resilience was evident as they overturned the disadvantage to secure their spot in the semifinals. Serbia followed suit, orchestrating a dramatic comeback from a staggering 24-point deficit to beat Australia in an electrifying encounter.
Host nation France also had plenty to cheer about. Their decisive win over Canada capped off a series of impressive performances and ensured their advancement to the semifinals. The packed stadium roared in approval as France displayed their home-court advantage with flair and finesse.
The stage is now set for Thursday's semifinal matches, with the United States, Germany, France, and Serbia all vying for a place in the final. The drama and intensity of the knockout rounds have set high expectations for what promises to be an unmissable set of semifinal clashes.
As the tournament progresses, the spotlight will remain firmly on the athletes and their ability to deliver under pressure. Coach Steve Kerr, reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the games, aptly put it: "I know I didn't draw it up, because I didn't know that one was even coming."