Kevin Durant gets off to electric, perfect start for USA vs Serbia at Olympics

Kevin Durant isn’t Team USA’s all-time leading scorer by accident. On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns’ star burst out of the starting gates, scoring a game-high 21 points while shooting 8-8 from the field and 5-5 from beyond the arc in the first half against Serbia.

Durant did not participate in Team USA’s exhibition games prior to the Olympics due to a calf strain he suffered in June. If Durant can boost Team USA to another first-place finish this year, he will become the first Team USA player to ever collect four Gold Medals.

“It’s been incredible,” Durant said ahead of Team USA’s showdown against Serbia. “I mean, I haven’t played yet, but just being on the sideline, on the bench, I’ve got more energy than I’ve had in the past. I hate not playing, but just watching these guys, how they operate, it’s just been incredible.”

#Olympics Kevin Durant 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/YQSJFQj1AC

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 28, 2024

Before Sunday, Durant had never scored 20 or more points on 100% shooting from the field in any half of his NBA career, including in the postseason. Durant’s teammates are far from surprised by his explosive outing.

“Instant impact. Instant impact,” LeBron James said when asked about what Durant means to the U.S. team. “He looked extremely well the other day in practice. Obviously, his wind, his rhythm is going to continue to come, but to be able to get him back, it makes a huge impact for our club.” 

Dawn Staley raves about Kevin Durant’s hot start

James isn’t the only one singing Durant’s praises. At halftime of Team USA’s showdown versus Serbia, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley raved about Durant’s early performance.

“To watch this team, to see Kevin Durant do what he’s doing out there on the floor — I know he feels good,” Staley said. “The body has a way of healing itself right before the official start of the Olympic Games and KD is rested up. That shot looks great and hopefully he can pull us through this win.”

Staley’s praise carries serious weight. She boasts three Gold Medals as a player and one as a coach. Moreover, she’s cemented herself as one of the all-time greats at the collegiate level.

At the helm of South Carolina, Staley has reeled in three national titles (2017, 2022 and 2024). Further, she’s won the SEC Tournament eight times and has been named the SEC Coach of the Year seven times.