Kevin Durant Shines in Team USA’s Olympic Opener

Kevin Durant made an impressive return to Team USA during their Olympic opener against Serbia at the Paris Games. After missing some games due to a calf strain, he showed everyone just how much the team needed him.

Durant kicked off his performance in the first quarter with a quick 3-pointer, and it just got better from there. He ended the first half shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, including 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, and led all scorers with a whopping 21 points before halftime.

About an hour before the game, USA Basketball announced that Durant would be available to play. Coach Steve Kerr had mentioned on Saturday that the star player might come off the bench for this game, so it was a bit of a surprise when he actually played right away.

This game is especially important for Durant as he aims to become the first basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals. He has already made his mark by leading the U.S. to gold at the London Games in 2012, Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, and the Tokyo Games in 2021.

His return was highly anticipated, especially since he had missed all five of the team’s pre-Olympic exhibitions. Durant’s injury had occurred right before the team gathered in Las Vegas for their training camp earlier this month, but he was cleared to practice fully last week.

With his outstanding performance, it’s clear that Durant’s presence on the court is invaluable for Team USA as they chase Olympic glory once again.