Curry broke out with a 36-point performance, going 9-of-14 from 3 in leading the Americans to a 95-91 comeback win Thursday over Serbia in the men’s tournament semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. “To come back the way we did,” Curry said after the game. “I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball, and that was a special one.”Down by as many as 17 points, Team USA will face France, the host country for the Olympics, on Saturday for the gold medal (12:30 p.m. MST, 3:30 p.m. ET, on NBC).

Playing in his first Olympics, Curry scored a total of 29 points on 10-of-28 shooting, going 5-of-20 from 3, in Team USA’s first four games. He surpassed all those numbers Thursday as his final 3 off an assist from LeBron James gave Team USA the lead for good, 87-86, with 2:24 left in the game before 12,213 fans at Bercy Arena.

“I haven’t had many opportunities, and haven’t shot the ball well the whole tournament,” Curry said. “But it doesn’t waver your confidence to meet the moment, and I had some great looks to start the game. Knocked them down, kept the rhythm flowing, and the one in the fourth quarter.”

That late Curry 3 began a 11-5 closeout run for Team USA. The Americans outscored Serbia, 32-15, in the fourth quarter. Curry closed the game with two free throws with eight seconds remaining.

Joel Embiid posted 19 points and four rebounds in his matchup against fellow NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who ended the game with 17 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and four fouls.

James delivered a triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

“I was trying to be aggressive, make plays for our team, try to do a little bit of everything on the floor and my teammates believed in me,” James said. “It’s good to be tested. It’s great to be tested. And our ultimate goal is one game away, so we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday.”

“I’m on to my 22nd (NBA) season,” James said. “I don’t know how many opportunities and moments I’m gonna get like this to compete in big games, and (Thursday) was a big game for us.”

When does Team USA play next?

Team USA had its way with Serbia in their two earlier matchups this summer, winning an exhibition and in Olympic group play by 26 points each time. That certainly wasn’t the case in Thursday’s semifinals.

Serbia shot 10-of-19 from 3 in the first half in leading by 11 points and added to the lead going into the fourth, but couldn’t hold off Team USA in the game’s final minutes.

“We knew coming into this tournament that there’s always going to be a game like this,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s the Olympics, FIBA, 40 minutes. …. One game and you’re out. So you’re not gonna blaze through this tournament, we knew that. I have that experience from Tokyo when I was an assistant. You have to be able to maintain your poise, and that’s what impressed me the most in the second half, just the poise of our guys, combined with the competitive spirit to get it done.”

Kevin Durant added nine points, all coming in the second half after taking just one shot in the first half.

Looking to win a record fourth Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball competition, Durant forced a turnover on Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was called for a backcourt violation with Team USA up 91-86 with 1:32 remaining in the game.

Then with the Americans clinging to a two-point lead, Durant hit a jumper off a crossover dribble, giving Team USA a 93-89 advantage with 34 seconds left.

Coming off the bench, Durant closed the game with Devin Booker, James, Curry and Embiid. Booker, who has started every Olympic game for Team USA this summer, finished with just six points on 2-of-4 shooting, but had the second-best plus/minus for the Americans at plus-16.

Durant scored 29 points in leading Team USA to an 87-82 win in that game.