KD applauds Steph’s ‘incredible’ heroics in Team USA’s comeback win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Kevin Durant and Steve Kerr have witnessed Steph Curry’s greatness up close, but Thursday was different.
As his NBA teammate and coach, respectively, Durant and Kerr have been blown away by Curry’s showcases with the Warriors for years. But playing with Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer, Curry’s heroics to save the Americans on Thursday was extra special.
“It was special to be a part of. Steph Curry, we talked about each game, somebody had to step up. It might be your night. And he came and had the best night out of anybody the whole tournament,” Durant told reporters postgame. “[it was] so incredible to watch him knock down shots to keep us afloat. [LeBron James] played incredible. Joel [Embiid] was insane tonight. It was incredible. I just love what everybody did.
“I think this game is going to go down as one of the most memorable games.”
Curry, playing in his first Olympics, had struggled to find a rhythm through the first four games this summer. But everyone, including James, knew a Curry Flurry was bound to happen.
And it did, just when Team USA needed it most.
Curry scored 36 points and was a plus-20 in the nailbiting 95-91 comeback win in 33 minutes. He took 19 shots and made 12, adding eight rebounds.
The 3-point king scored the first two points of the day 11 seconds into the game. He finished with 17 points and five 3-pointers after the fist quarter.
Through Team USA’s first four games at the Olympics, he made just five 3s.
“Everyone’s trying to find their rhythm within the group,” Durant explained. “We subbing five at a time, some guys are playing roles they haven’t played before. It could be any guy that had that moment. So he knocked down that first shot and got going in the first quarter. He had 17 of our first 20 points. Guys were looking for him. His energy was high. He was shooting the ball and turning around. It was just a regular Steph game. And I think he was searching for that type of game the whole Olympics.
“And to have it right here, especially when we needed it, it was…
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