On July 28, LeBron James approaches the hoop in men’s group C game against Serbia and Team USA at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France. Thomas Coex/ AFP / Getty ImagesParis CNN — 

On Sunday, LeBron James returned emphatically to Olympic basketball, giving his first battle since 2012 a commanding effort in a 110-84 triumph against Serbia.

James had not participated in the quadrennial competition since he had won his second consecutive gold medal at the London Games, and it was evident the 39-year-old all-time leading NBA scorer was bringing as much vitality to Paris. On Wednesday, the US visits South Sudan, who ran the Americans close in an exhibition game in London before to the Games decided upon by only a point.

James’ twenty-one points, eight rebounds, and nine assists gave Team USA the impetus it needed all through the game. With a gritty, disputed layup in the third quarter, in which the Los Angeles Lakers star powered over a Serb defender for a bucket, the always present four-time NBA champion seemed to be constantly on the edge of bursting free from the US backcourt on the fast break.

LeBron leaves his mark on the game in quite several different ways. His confidence and emotional quality define him more than merely his ability, strength, stature, or skill. Head coach Steve Kerr remarked following the victory, just on the way he gives our team confidence and vitality at 39 (years old).

Still, the first half was all about Kevin Durant, who scored 21 points on 8-for—8 shooting. The fourth time the Phoenix Suns forward is at the Olympics, his performance demonstrated exactly how much the two-time NBA champion likes this specific event.

Durant is healing from a calf injury; his playing time was restricted during the game; else, he might have finished the game with an even more insane statistic line.

Having him back out there is good. We have been observing his efforts. Back at it once, postgame remarks from Devin Booker, a Phoenix Suns teammate.

” Nothing I have seen before here. I join him in play. Among the most effective players in history of this game is he. I was light-hearted about him missing that one shot, but I’m sure right after this game he will be like, I’m annoyed I missed that one shot. That is simply his level of excellence.

Regarding Durant, who finished with 23 points, Lakers big man Anthony Davis said, “We expect nothing less; we know what he can do when the ball is in his possession and he got hot. Watching his first, second, and twelfth times was enjoyable.

“To see and be a fan and actually get a chance to cheers for him instead of rooting against (him) with his scoring ability – man, it was fun to see.”

Beginning agents having an impact

Two first-time Olympians also distinguished themselves against Serbia on a team loaded with stars.

Anthony Edwards debuted in the Olympics and immediately boasts first highlight reel action. On Team USA’s last possession of the third quarter, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard spun-and-pumped-fake, sending a Serb defender flying by him towards the sideline to reach the basket. With an unimpeded shot he could readily glide in for a bucket, putting the US up by 19 heading into the last frame.

Among his colleagues, including Steph Curry breaking into dancing, the move and bucket from Edwards started celebrations. Edwards closed with five rebounds and eleven points.

After Serbia hung about for much of the first three quarters of the game, it seemed to be the turning point that set Team USA on its path towards a landslide victory.

Early on, Curry’s three-point shooting proved to be a big advantage since Serbia started off well. Early in the first quarter, a few important buckets helped stop the Europeans’ advance and prevented the US from digging too large a hole to recover from.

As he gets adjusted to the shorter international three-point line, the Golden State Warriors star remained mostly silent for the rest of the game, missing a few attempts he might have wanted to have back. He scored eleven points with an exclamation point three-pointer at the end of the game.

With 15 and 12 points apiece, Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker also gave strong efforts.

Surprisingly so, one person missing was Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. Though he felt insane for making that choice, Kerr claimed following the game that the 2024 NBA champion did not consider into his Serbia game strategy.

Playing more than ten players in a forty-minute game is quite challenging. And when Kevin returned, I simply followed the pairings I felt would make the most sense. It appears absurd. When I looked at it and decided these are the line-ups I wanted to see, I thought I was insane.

He continued, “But the secret is, and our guys know this, to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and simply win six games. Jayson is going to be ready for the next one; he is the ultimate pro, a champion, and he handled it brilliantly.

Though thanks to its talismanic attacker Nikola Jokić Serbia expected to be a powerhouse in this tournament. Even as Team USA gathered pace in the second half with the three-time NBA MVP Jokić finishing with 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, the Serbians refused to go away in the game.

Wednesday’s game for Serbia is against Puerto Rico.