When they first met in the group play opener, Team USA beat Serbia 110-84. That may look like an easy blowout win for the four-time defending gold medalists, but diving into the box score turns up a stat that may mean this semifinal could be an absolute barnburner. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, who just led Serbia on a 24-point comeback to beat Australia in the quarterfinals, had an even plus/minus rating in that opening game.
That’s to say: the game was 81-81 in the 31 minutes he played. While the U.S. won the nine minutes he sat 29-3, the reigning league MVP averaged 34.6 minutes per game in the NBA regular season and 40.2 minutes per game in 12 playoff games. Could he go the distance in a knockout game in the Olympics? We’ll find out when the two teams take the court in Paris on Thursday.
Date: Thursday, August 8
Time: 3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT
Location: Bercy Arena | Paris, France
TV: USA Network, Universo
Streaming: NBCOlympics.com, Peacock, Fubo
Stay with Yahoo Sports for complete coverage of the USA vs. Serbia men’s basketball semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Familiar starting five against a familiar foe in Serbia. USA Network + Peacock #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/MJqSjK16An
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 8, 2024
The approach doesn’t change. We’re ready. ️ 9 pm CEST/3 pm ET USA Network + Peacock#USABMNT x #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/YCtvcV5ih1
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 8, 2024
France outlasted Germany, 7369, in the other men’s basketball semifinal. Guerschon Yabusele scored 17 for the winners, with Isaia Cordinier adding 16. Both players had seven rebounds.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA WITH A POSTERIZING DUNK!! USA Network and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/WtZJIueo8p
NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2024
Dennis Schroder led Germany with a team-high 18 points, followed by 10 from Franz Wagner.
The host country will face the winner of USA-Serbia in the gold medal game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.