In an instant classic, Team USA rallied past Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics to advance to the gold medal game. The Americans -- who will face France for gold on Saturday -- trailed by as many as 17 points, but behind Stephen Curry's 36 points, Joel Embiid's 19 and key late baskets from LeBron James and Kevin Durant, they escaped what would have been a stunning loss.
Curry had struggled in Team USA's first four games of these Olympics -- he had 29 points total -- but he delivered an iconic performance in his first Olympics. His nine 3-pointers were one short of Carmelo Anthony's Olympic record of 10 vs. Nigeria in 2012, and his 36 points were also just shy of Anthony's U.S. Olympic record.
Serbia deserves massive credit for giving the United States all it could handle and then some. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 17 points and 11 assists, and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points. In the end, though, Serbia ran out of gas on both ends.
Still, one of the most enthralling international basketball games led to plenty of reaction from stars across the sports world, with Curry getting massive kudos from his NBA peers. Let's take a look at the best social media reactions.
Bucks star Damian Lillard:
Chef Curry…
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) August 8, 2024
Grizzlies star Ja Morant:
🧑🍳 x 👑
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 8, 2024
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 8, 2024
chef curry 😂
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 8, 2024
Hawks guard Trae Young:
This why Chef is that guy! 👨🍳
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 8, 2024
Y’all think these 3 losing? 😂😂😂 https://t.co/KY9XVR9dxZ
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 8, 2024
76ers guard Tyrese Maxey shouted out his teammate:
Hey Joel 🫣🤝🏾 pic.twitter.com/zFbXVOp9ok
— Tyrese Maxey (@TyreseMaxey) August 8, 2024
Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley:
LeBron Curry
— Immanuel Jaylen Quickley (@IQ_GodSon) August 8, 2024
Timberwolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns:
WHAT A GAME! #Olympics
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) August 8, 2024
Knicks guard Josh Hart:
🔥 @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/IiFAZ57CeC
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 8, 2024
Knicks guard Deuce McBride:
That was elite basketball!! Steph is different 😂
— M11es McBride (@deucemcb11) August 8, 2024
Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson:
Kd is HIM , he so tuff
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) August 8, 2024
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) August 8, 2024
embiidddd 🧳🛍️💼 both sides
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) August 8, 2024
Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes:
Somebody need to go throw something on the grill after that performance
— Quentin Grimes (@qdotgrimes) August 8, 2024
Hall of Famer Magic Johnson:
Team USA lives on to fight for gold after a tough battle against Serbia! Steph Curry carried US to a victory scoring 9 threes on his way to 36 points! 👏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) August 8, 2024
Hall of Famer and Spain legend Pau Gasol:
What an amazing game! Congrats @usabasketball on advancing to the final, and to #TeamSerbia - what a performance, you should be very proud! #Paris2024
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 8, 2024
Hall of Famer and Argentina legend Manu Ginobili:
What a game!! Kudos to Serbia for an almost perfect game. #Respect. Semis where SO intense!!
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 8, 2024
Former NBA guard Evan Turner:
If team USA loses then I'll name my first son Nikola Bogdanovic Turner
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) August 8, 2024
Team USA will for gold on Saturday. Serbia will face Germany for bronze.