Head coach Steve Kerr has guided Team USA to an unbeaten record in the group stage of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, winning all three of their games against Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico in dominant fashion. With the knockout phase of the tournament on the horizon, the nine-time NBA champion is looking to rely on his experienced veterans on the international stage to help Team USA retain the Olympic gold medal and avenge their fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup last summer.
Steve Kerr Confirms Major Team USA Decision For Olympics
Kerr confirmed that Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant will not be included in the starting lineup for the remainder of the Olympics. In an interview on Sunday, the Warriors coach pointed out the 14-time NBA All-Star’s missed time during the team’s training camp and exhibition games due to a calf injury as the reason for his decision.
“If Kevin had been here from Day 1, chances are he’d be starting. That was the plan coming in. But given that he missed all of our friendlies and came in late, we had kind of established a lineup that we liked. When we brought him back, he was only going to play a certain amount of minutes against Serbia. And he played so well and he fit so well with that group, and it was devastating to see that group together So there’s no plans on changing that.”
The two-time NBA Finals MVP performed spectacularly despite coming off the bench. With a 23-point outing against Serbia, a 14-point performance against South Sudan, and 11 points against Puerto Rico, Durant has extended his unassailable lead as the USA men’s national team’s all-time leading scorer in the Summer Games, now with 483 points so far.
The six-time All-NBA First Team member also became Team USA’s all-time leading rebounder after grabbing his 126th board in Olympic basketball during their last game against Puerto Rico on August 2, surpassing the previous record holder, Carmelo Anthony, who had 125.
Kevin Durant Will Still Ramp Up His Minutes
Despite being out of the starting lineup for the rest of their run in Paris, Kerr is looking to increase Durant’s minutes as they advance deeper into the competition, given the Slim Reaper’s vast experience on the international stage.
“But, of course, as the Games get more difficult, my guess is Kevin will be playing more and more minutes. He’ll keep coming off the bench for now, but we will lean on him more and more as we go.”
Durant has participated in and won gold medals in the previous three Summer Games in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021). In addition, he led the Americans to win the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey (now known as the FIBA World Cup). The 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player is also closing in on Lisa Leslie’s career Olympic scoring record of 488 points, needing only six points to overtake the WNBA icon and become Team USA’s undisputed top scorer.
Team USA secured the top spot in Group C and will now face Brazil in the quarterfinals of the men’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Tuesday, August 6, at the Accor Arena in Paris.
