Top 5 Kevin Durant performances for Team USA
Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant will be looking to add yet another Olympic gold medal to his resume this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After watching Team USA struggle in the FIBA World Cup, ultimately failing to medal, Durant joined forces with fellow NBA superstars LeBron James and Steph Curry to help Team USA stake their place atop the podium.
With Olympic qualifying tournaments wrapped up, fans are eagerly awaiting tip-off for the Olympics. Ahead of the start of group play games later this month, "KD" and Team USA are sitting as heavy favorites to win it all.
While Team Germany, who won the 2023 FIBA World Cup, may be entering the Olympics as reigning FIBA champs, Durant and Co. are out for revenge. With that in mind, here's a closer look at Durant's top five performances for Team USA over the years.
Kevin Durant's top 5 performances for Team USA ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics
#5. 2016 Olympics vs. Argentina
After going 5-0 throughout the group play round, Kevin Durant and Team USA dominated Argentina in the quarterfinal round, picking up a 105-78 win. In the case of Durant, he logged 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 9-of-13 from the floor.
In addition, Durant also notably shot 7-of-9 from downtown, marking his second-highest-scoring game of the 2016 Olympics.
#4. 2020 Olympics vs. Spain
After going just 2-1 in the group play round and finishing second behind Team France, Durant erupted for 29 points in Team USA's quarterfinal matchup against Spain.
In the team's 95-81 win, Durant shot 10-of-17 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. After he struggled through the first two group play games, Durant's quarterfinal performance played a key role in Team USA's push toward Olympic gold.
#3. 2012 Olympic debut vs. France
Kevin Durant's Olympic debut at the 2012 London Olympics was one for the ages. After a closely contested first quarter saw Team USA struggle to find their rhythm, the team caught fire in the second quarter en route to a 98-71 win.
For his part, Durant finished the game with 22 points on 3-of-5 shooting from downtown, adding nine rebounds to his box score along with two steals and two blocks.
#2. 2016 Olympic final vs. Serbia
With the stakes at an all-time high, the "Easy Money Sniper" rose to the occasion in the 2016 Olympic final in Rio De Janeiro as Team USA defeated Serbia 96-66. Durant erupted for 30 points, nearly a third of Team USA's points while going 10-of-19 from the floor.
In addition, Durant added two steals and a block to his box score total along with three rebounds and four assists while capturing his second Olympic gold medal.
#1. 2020 Olympic final vs. France
"KD" and Team USA dropped their first game of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to Team France in stunning fashion. The loss remains the only one on Durant's otherwise unblemished record at the Olympics.
When the two teams met in the 2020 Olympic final, Durant went off, scoring 29 points in the team's narrow 87-82 win to avenge his sole Olympic loss and win Team USA the gold.