Curry, James spark U.S. hoops rally to beat Serbia

PARIS — This dream is still alive.

The United States mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics to earn a 95-91 win over Serbia and advance to the gold-medal game, where it will face host nation France on Saturday at Bercy Arena.

Many considered this team, with the best collection of talent the NBA could offer, a second Dream Team, following the legendary 1992 team that helped globalize the game. The impact of that growth nearly came back to shock the United States as Serbia, led by four NBA players including three-time NBA most valuable player Nikola Jokic, held an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“In other countries, they all have great players now, but we have the most great players,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “And we feel confident that after 40 minutes that would play it out, play itself out.”

Jokic had 17 points with 11 assists. Bogdan Boganovic led with 20 as Serbia buried the United States with 10 first-half 3-pointers, but Kerr’s belief in the U.S. depth proved true.

Kevin Durant reset after a scoreless first half to spark the comeback by knocking down a 3-pointer with 7:19 remaining at the same time that Anthony Davis drew a foul. Devin Booker hit another 3 on the out-of-bounds play.

The United States scored six points in two seconds.

Joel Embiid added seven consecutive points during a 20-8 fourth-quarter U.S. run that Stephen Curry capped with a 3-pointer.

When he rattled in the shot with 2:24 remaining that put the Americans up by one, the Golden State Warriors star let out a scream. Curry, who had made just five of 20 3-point attempts during the Olympics, leapt into the air at the final horn and pumped his fist. He jumped on LeBron James, who had thrown the ball into the air. James grasped Curry’s face with both hands and brought their foreheads together.

“I’ve seen a lot of Team USA basketball,” Curry said, “and that was special.”

The scene will only intensify Saturday as the United States plays for its fifth consecutive gold medal against the home team. France advanced with an upset 73-69 win over reigning world champion Germany on Thursday.

France will be the only Olympic host country besides the United States to play in the men’s basketball gold-medal game and the first host nation to medal since 1996 in Atlanta. After a silver-medal finish in Tokyo, France is hoping to ride the home-court advantage to its first Olympic gold medal.

Fans have packed Bercy Arena during the basketball knockout stages with French fans playing drums, jumping to sounds of thumping techno music and unfurling banners that cover up whole sections. The stands shake with loud renditions of “La Marseillaise.”

With France playing immediately before the United States for the past two games, Kerr stood in the tunnel and watched the end of France’s quarterfinal and semifinal victories. The crowd was so electric that he recorded a video on his phone.

“It was so special just to see the energy and the enthusiasm, and obviously it’ll be even louder Saturday night,” Kerr said. “I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be one of the most fun games I’ll ever be part of.”

These Games have already been kind to the host nation. With 52 medals as a nation entering Thursday evening, France was already guaranteed its biggest Olympic haul since it last hosted the Games in 1900 and won 102 medals.

France upset two-time defending gold medalists Fiji in men’s rugby sevens. Judoka Teddy Riner lit the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremonies, won his third individual Olympic gold medal and added a gold in the mixed team. Swimmer Leon Marchand has become such a superstar after winning four individual gold medals and a relay bronze that his appearance on the big screen during the United States’ quarterfinal win over Brazil elicited the biggest cheer of the game.

Victor Wembanyama is in line to be the next national hero. After 11 points, three steals and three blocks in France’s semifinal victory, the NBA rookie sensation gazed into the stands with his hands clasped behind his head. With tears in his eyes, he soaked in the sight of the crowd.