Kevin Durant Shines In Team USA's Win Over Serbia To Begin ...

LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 28: Kevin Durant #7 of Team United States looks to pass against Vasilije Micic ... [+] #22 of Team Serbia during the second half of the Men's Group Phase - Group C game between Serbia and the United States on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 28, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It was only a matter of time before Team USA unleashed its not-so-secret weapon.

Kevin Durant made his debut Sunday for the 2024 United States men’s national team, serving a quick and firm reminder of why he’s feared by opponents — and only furthering his case as America’s greatest Olympian on the hardwood.

Facing Serbia in the opening game of Group C play, the 14-time All-Star and three-time gold medalist was strictly focused on one thing: Getting buckets. A wide variety of them.

He came off the bench and was spectacular in the first half, scoring 21 points on 131.3% true shooting. It was a combination of scoring and efficiency he had never produced in any half of his long NBA career, which is approaching two decades.

For Durant, the wait was worth it.

Sunday was his first action of the summer, returning from a right calf strain that kept him out of Team USA’s early practices and all five exhibition games. The medical staff elected for a cautious approach as Durant ramped up during practice, hoping to eliminate all concerns that his calf injury might lead to further (and more serious) lower leg issues.

Most players arrived for training camp in Las Vegas on July 5, meaning Durant had just over three weeks to pass various checkpoints before he was cleared to play.

The early returns indicate they were smart to hold him out as long as possible. He now looks fresh and spry, ready to chase down the record books.

Durant has now scored 458 total points in his Olympic career, averaging 19.9 points across his 23 games dating back to 2012. He’s only 66 points from eclipsing Manu Ginobili for fifth on the all-time leaderboard of Olympic scorers.

In terms of USA players or alumni, he keeps extending his lead in that category. Durant now has 122 more points than second-place Carmelo Anthony — in eight fewer games played.

Stephen Curry, who shared the floor with Durant from 2016 to 2019 in Golden State, could only marvel at his performance on Sunday.

“His nickname is Easy Money for a reason,” Curry said while shaking his head. “He loves this stage and he’s the all-time leading scorer. It’s just amazing to watch him. I got to watch him up close for three years as a teammate. To do it again, he’s just special. We needed it.”

Upon checking in at the 2:33 mark of the first quarter, Durant was content with letting the action come to him.

On his first possession, KD was stationed in the right slot while Derrick White initiated a middle pick-and-roll with Anthony Davis. He was comfortable being a spacer in most lineups and hurting defenses that got too aggressive on the ball.

It’s a luxury for USA to have Durant as the punisher in these instances, making opponents pay for sending help and leaving the wing open:

Less than two minutes later, Durant benefited from another pick-and-roll involving White and Davis. This time, he was operating on the weakside. With KD spotting up in the corner, defenses can’t afford to collapse in the paint or have a miscommunication.

One fatal mistake, as Serbia commits here, and it’s over. This timely slot cut by Anthony Edwards causes Serbia to botch a switch, bringing two defenders with him. That leaves Durant, a knockdown shooter in International play, completely alone for a catch-and-shoot triple:

After going 5-of-5 Sunday from beyond the arc, Durant improved on his already-absurd efficiency as an Olympian.

Including his FIBA World Cup performances at age 22, he is now 123-of-208 on two-pointers (59.1%) and 105-of-210 (50.0%) on threes for his International career. Scoring 1.59 points per shot — at a rate of 27.3 points per 36 minutes — Durant is easily the most potent offensive player in USA’s storied history.

Not all of KD’s opportunities were off the catch, either. Sprinkled into the offense were Durant’s patent elbow jumpers generated by curling off pindowns, a few isolation attempts, and his favorite shot in basketball: A pull-up three while bringing the ball up in semi-transition.

It’s not hyperbole to suggest it was the greatest eight-minute stretch in Olympic basketball history. He didn’t miss a shot as USA outscored Serbia by 17 with him on the floor in the first half.

Nearly all of his damage was done in those eight minutes. He only had one more field goal attempt in the second half because nothing else was needed. Team USA cruised to a 26-point win, which included a 29-3 advantage when Serbia’s Nikola Jokic rested for only nine minutes.

The talent disparity was already overwhelming for USA across the board. That was without a seven-foot creator that typically towers over wing defenders and isn’t affected by closeouts or shot contests.

Durant is seeking his fourth gold medal, which would break Carmelo Anthony’s record for the most among any men’s basketball player from all nations.

Team USA will continue group play against South Sudan on Wednesday, July 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern.