Team USA kicks off its Olympic campaign on Sunday against Serbia, with Kevin Durant cleared to play after sitting out the pre-Olympic exhibitions due to a calf injury. This marks Durant’s first game with the team since joining them.
Leading up to the game, coach Steve Kerr expressed confidence that all 12 players on the roster would be available, despite Joel Embiid missing a practice session and Anthony Davis dealing with previous absences.
However, being “available” doesn’t automatically mean being fully ready to face off against Serbia, especially considering the challenge posed by Nikola Jokic, Serbia’s three-time NBA MVP. Although Team USA dominated Serbia in an exhibition game, Serbia has historically been a strong competitor and claimed silver in the 2016 Olympics.
A significant question surrounds Durant’s playing time, given his recent injury. While expected to start and crucial to Team USA’s success, his fitness level remains a point of uncertainty. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid are confirmed starters, with the remaining spots yet to be finalized for the Serbia match.
Durant, Team USA’s leading scorer in Olympic history, notably contributed 30 points in the 2016 Olympics gold medal game against Serbia.
The Team USA vs. Serbia game is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. ET.
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