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LeBron James played a near perfect game on Sunday as he lead team USA to a 110-84 victory in a game against Serbia. This game was the first olympic competitive game since the 2012 games in London.
Team USA plays South Sudan on Wednesday. South Sudan who ran the Americans close in an exhibition game in London before the Games that was decided by just a point.
James’ 21 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists helped provide the spark for Team USA throughout the contest. The ever-present four-time NBA champion seemed to always be on the verge of breaking out of the US backcourt on the fast break, exemplified by a tough, contested layup in the third quarter, in which the Los Angeles Lakers star powered through a Serb defender for a bucket.
The first half though was all about Kevin Durant, who scored 21 points on 8-for-8 shooting. It’s the Phoenix Suns forward’s fourth time at the Olympics and his performance proved just how much the two-time NBA champion loves this particular competition.
Durant is recovering from a calf injury and his playing time was limited during the game, otherwise, he might have ended the contest with an even more ridiculous stat line. He finished with 23 points.
On a team laden with stars, two first-time Olympians also stood out against Serbia.
Anthony Edwards made his Olympics debut and already has his first highlight reel play. With a deft spin-and-pump-fake move along the baseline on Team USA’s final possession of the third quarter, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard sent a Serb defender flying past him toward the sideline as he went to the basket. Edwards was left with an uncontested shot that he easily floated in for a bucket, putting the US up by 19 heading into the final frame.
The move and bucket from Edwards set off celebrations among his teammates, including Steph Curry breaking into dance. Edwards finished with 11 points and five rebounds.
