Suns' Kevin Durant: Enters starting five vs. France
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Durant will enter the starting lineup for Team USA's gold medal matchup versus France on Saturday.
Durant will slot into the starting five for the first time in the squad's Olympic campaign. The superstar missed significant time in the preparation phase due to a calf injury, but he has been stellar off the bench for Team USA thus far.
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Suns' Kevin Durant: Notches 11 points in Olympic win
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Durant posted 11 points (4-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 21 minutes during Tuesday's 122-87 win over Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics.
Durant's 11 points officially put him atop Team USA's leaderboard for career points on the men's or women's side. The superstar missed significant time with Team USA due to a minor calf injury, and he has been coming off the bench for the entirety of the Olympics. While leading the bench unit, the 35-year-old averaged 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 19.3 minutes per game in three group-stage appearances. Durant's success from the group stage and quarterfinals will likely continue, and Team USA is now one step closer to a gold medal.
Durant ended with 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 19 minutes in Team USA's 104-83 win over Puerto Rico in the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Team USA ran away with the match in the second half as it blew out Puerto Rico with Durant dropping 11 points off the bench. The superstar also grabbed his 126th career rebound for Team USA in the contest, making him the record holder for most rebounds in Team USA history. The 35-year-old averaged 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 19.3 minutes per game in three group-stage appearances.
Suns' Kevin Durant: Game-high 23 points in Olympic win
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Durant tallied 23 points (8-9 FG, 5-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds across 17 minutes in Team USA's 110-84 win over Serbia in the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
After missing most of the preparation period for Team USA due to a calf strain, Durant came off the bench and scored a game-high 23 points. The superstar scored 21 points on 100 percent shooting from the field in the first half alone, proving why he is the top scorer in USA Olympic history. The 35-year-old got buckets easily, and it would not be a surprise if he eventually slots into the starting five as the squad has three more games in the group phase. Regardless of Durant's role, he will score at will and get his fair share of playing time.
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Suns' Kevin Durant: Available against Serbia on Sunday
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Durant (calf) is available for Team USA's opening match of the Paris Olympics versus Serbia on Sunday, Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reports.
After missing significant preparation with Team USA due to a right calf strain, Durant will suit up for Sunday's matchup. The superstar missed several practices and was absent from all five of the squad's showcase games. However, Team USA will get their leading scorer back in time for the start of the Olympic group phase. The last time Durant suited up for Team USA was in 2021 in Tokyo, when he averaged 27.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
Coach Steve Kerr said Saturday that he expects Durant (calf) to play in the United States' opening matchup of the Paris Olympics against Serbia on Sunday, BasketNews.com reports.
Durant is dealing with a right calf strain that has kept him out of several practices and five exhibition matchups. However, Team USA will likely get their top scorer back in time for the opening game of the group phase. The superstar will compete in his fourth Olympic Games for the USA. In the 2020 Olympics, he averaged 27.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
Durant (calf) is expected to be a full participant in practice Thursday for the United States national team, Grant Afseth of EssentiallySports.com reports.
After missing all five of the United States' showcase games earlier this month while recovering from the right calf strain, Durant may not be cleared to play in the team's 2024 Summer Olympics opener Sunday versus Serbia, but his return to full practice suggests he should be ready for game action shortly thereafter. After Sunday's contest, the United States will face South Sudan on Wednesday.
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Suns' Kevin Durant: Likely to miss Olympic opener
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Durant (calf) is unlikely to play for the United States national team in its 2024 Summer Olympics opening game against Serbia on Sunday, Brian Windhorst reported on ESPN's "SportsCenter."
Durant missed every single exhibition for Team USA while tending to the calf injury. The United States will have until Saturday to turn in its roster, and head coach Steve Kerr reportedly has no intention of replacing Durant, who is likely to make his earliest appearance July 31 against South Sudan.
