Olympics basketball LIVE: USA v Serbia score updates as Steph Curry and LeBron James face Nikola Jokic
USA basketball face Serbia in the semi-finals of the men’s tournament at the Olympics for the chance to play France in the gold medal match, with Noah Lyles and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone featuring in the athletics on the other side of Paris.
Captain Steph Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant are among the NBA stars boosting Steve Kerr’s side, who have been ruthless so far in Paris, securing a number of crushing victories including the 122-87 win over Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Serbia can boast the three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, yet a 24-point defeat from the group stage leaves them with a huge task to remain competitive here and the Denver Nuggets star will need to be at his best to keep this close.
Undefeated Germany were stunned by the hosts in the first semi-final, as Victory Wembayama inspired Les Bleus the FIBA Basketball World Cup winners in a nail-biting finish at the Bercy Arena.
Follow live updates fom USA v Serbia at the Bercy Arena below:
Olympics men’s basketball: USA v Serbia
Olympics men’s basketball reaches semi-finals as Team USA face Nikola Jokic’s Serbia at 20:00 BST
Hosts France, led by Victor Wembanyama, take on Germany in the earlier semi-final at 16:30 BST
LeBron James gets stitches after nasty injury in Olympic basketball quarter-final
France stun world champions Germany to reach men’s final
Steph Curry shoots blazing 17 points in thrilling first quarter
Olympic basketball: USA 61-67 Serbia - Q3 1:47
21:16 , Jack Rathborn
Olympic basketball: USA 59-65 Serbia - Q3 3:02
21:14 , Jack Rathborn
Tenacious from Curry! He saves a James turnover, then gets a quick pass out to Holiday in the corner... THREE!
Lead down to six points, U-S-A rings around the arena. Embiid is into this one, roaring in delight as Serbia call timeout.
Olympic basketball: USA 56-65 Serbia - Q3 3:53
21:12 , Jack Rathborn
Now James with the rebound, reaching in ahead of Jokic.
Embiid whistled and takes a tumble, he wants a foul, no call! The boos ring loud in the Bercy Arena.
Timeout called before Serbia spread the court.
Micic bringing it down the court and fronting up with Embiid.
But here’s the battle we all wanted to see: James defending Jokic and he forces up an air ball . But the the next possession for the Serbians is just beautiful basketballl with Dobric finding a three from the corner.
A great impression of Curry, yet the Warriors guard replies immediately with his own rainbow. The pace has picked up here.
Olympic basketball: USA 53-62 Serbia - Q3 6:11
21:10 , Jack Rathborn
Petrusev wrestling with Curry and he wriggles clear before handing off to Jokic.
The big man has a wonderful range of passing, too, Dobric gets the ball quickly and puts up the three. Serbia keep pulling away with this long game.
Now Curry tumbles out of bounds, the chemistry with Embiid just isn’t there.
Olympic basketball: USA 49-59 Serbia - Q3 7:20
21:07 , Jack Rathborn
LeBron to the line as we start this second half.
The first goes, but the second free throw bobbles around before dropping outside the basket.
Bogdanovic is still banging his head furiously after making buckets. The three fingers to his head as he gallops back on defence illustrate the mood in the Serbia camp.
He has 15 points and 6-11 on shooting.
Olympic basketball: USA 43-54 Serbia
20:51 , Jack Rathborn
Well then, USA have some talking to do at the break, Serbia up 11 points and suddenly able to dream of a final against France.
One of the biggest halves of Jokic’s career. The three-time MVP could advance to a winnable Olympic final and take the scalp of the USA in the next hour.
What would that do for his legacy? Already an all-time great, but Jokic guiding Serbia past this group of superstars would be special.
Olympic basketball: USA 43-54 Serbia - Q2 0:05
20:47 , Jack Rathborn
THREE! Curry has another, he steps back, beating his chest, scooting across the court.
But whatever he can do Avramovic can too, he has 15 points now.
And that's a bit tasty from James, posting up Bogdanovic... spins, steps. back, bucket! Then the sass, reaching down with his palm, was he suggesting he's too big for his opponent?
Olympic basketball: USA 32-47 Serbia - Q2 3:37
20:39 , Jack Rathborn
LeBron James dribbles up the court, launching one to Joel Embiid in the corner.
Boos for the Sixers star, given his previous talks to represent France, but that’s a magic bucket and cuts the deficit to 10 points.
Now the turnover from Serbia!
But Ant Edwards misses a wide-open three. And Serbia punish him, Petrusev with the finesse, a little floater opens up the lead once more.
The Serbians are dancing on the court tonight and the crowd crackle in delight as Bogdanovic boogies on the USA and then steps up... THREE!
Olympic basketball: USA 27-42 Serbia
20:31 , Jack Rathborn
Steve Kerr takes a swig of water. USA starting to chirp on the court.
Serbia are in a flow, three minutes into the second quarter.
No help for Curry so far, but Serbia are spreading out the points.
Eight Serbia players have scored so far.
That is some drive an the Serbian bench love this one, Jokic is dominant!
The Nuggets star has eight points, six assists and three rebounds and the drive to the bucket leaves a slew of USA bodies bouncing off his broad physique.
Olympic basketball: USA 25-34 Serbia
20:25 , Jack Rathborn
OK, this is starting to become a little bit of an issue for the USA.
Serbia moving the ball much better, Jokic the pivot and Bogdanovic able to find a rhythm shooting beyond the arc.
He’s four of five and has nine points. Now Guduric hits a three, Serbia have been deadly from range.
Olympic basketball: Steph Curry puts on shooting clinic for USA against Serbia
20:22 , Jack Rathborn
Olympic basketball: USA 23-29 Serbia
20:17 , Jack Rathborn
Points: Curry 17
Rebounds: Avranovic, Embiid 2
Assists: Holiday 3
This is frankly ridiculous from Curry. Another three, he turns away, shaking his head almost in disbelief at his own greatness.
He heads to the bench for a breather, 17 points in just over eight minutes on the court.
Olympic basketball: USA 18-23 Serbia
20:14 , Jack Rathborn
Olympic basketball: USA 15-20 Serbia
20:08 , Jack Rathborn
THREE! Curry is on fire, he drains a fourth three-pointer. He spins around and faces the USA bench before it can even touch the net.
Unconscious brilliance from Stephen Curry.
But Bogdanovic is also lethal from way out, he’s got himself a couple of three-pointers.
Both teams are lights out so far.
Olympic basketball: USA 15-13 Serbia
20:07 , Jack Rathborn
Jokic with the dunk! Serbia off to a hot start here, but so is Curry. It's a swish, three more for the sharp-shooter.
And another! Three field goals, three buckets.
And another Milutinov replies, it’s raining buckets at the Bercy!
Oh, you thought Curry would cool off? Make that three from downtown already.
Olympic basketball: USA 2-0 Serbia
20:02 , Jack Rathborn
‘The King’ is bouncing around the hardwood, this place is alive and ready to witness greatness.
Can Jokic help Serbia to hang with USA’s group of glittering NBA stars?
We’re underway! That didn't take long, he'd been nailing jumpers for fun in the warm-up and Curry drains a two-pointer to open things up here.
Olympic basketball: USA v Serbia
19:55 , Jack Rathborn
Loud whistles for Joel Embiid in the Bercy Arena.
The Sixers star could have played for France, after all. But he lines up with Team USA.
We’re almost ready to go. Now for the national anthems.
Olympic basketball: USA v Serbia
19:52 , Chris Wilson
We’re under 10 minutes from the tip-off in Paris – who will join hosts France in Saturday’s gold medal match?
We’ve already seen France gain revenge for a loss earlier in the tournament’s group stages, so can Serbia – led by Nikola Jokic – do the same tonight?
USA v Serbia - Olympics men’s basketball
19:50 , Jack Rathborn
LeBron James gets stitches after nasty injury in Olympic basketball quarter-final
19:45 , Chris Wilson
Team USA confirmed their place in the men’s basketball semi-finals in Paris but there was an injury scare with LeBron James forced off through injury.
He was hit in the eye by a stray elbow from Brazil’s Georginho De Paula, during the 122-87 win, which required four stitches.
“I’m alright,” he told the official Olympics website.
“I got hit with an inadvertent elbow around the eye.”
The win means they join Germany, Serbia and host nation France in the hunt for the medals in Paris.
James gets stitches after nasty injury in Olympic basketball quarter-final
LeBron James: NBA great leads USA at Paris 2024 in likely Olympics swansong
19:30 , Chris Wilson
LeBron James’ place in the pantheon of basketball legends is long-established, and a player who regularly contests debates over the greatest of all-time has very little to prove as he enters the twilight of a glittering career.
The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP also became the leading points scorer in NBA history in February 2023, and in March of this year he became the first player to reach the milestone of 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists.
The Lakers star has won two Olympic gold medals – in 2012 and in 2008 as part of the so-called “Redeem Team” – and he is hunting for another this week in what may well be his swansong with Team USA.
LeBron James: NBA great leads USA at Paris 2024 in likely Olympics swansong
Victor Wembanyama: We’re willing to spill blood on the court
19:25 , Jack Rathborn
France’s Victor Wembanyama has a cut on his neck after the semi-final win over Germany.
But the Spurs star is not bothered one bit: “In our national anthem, we talk about blood, too.
“We’re willing to spill blood on the court. It’s no big deal. If it allows us to win gold, I’m all for it.”
LeBron James makes Olympics return but Kevin Durant stars as USA open with win in Paris
19:19 , Jack Rathborn
Here’s the report from when Serbia met the USA in the group stages...
LeBron James made his Olympics return after a 12-year absence, while Kevin Durant played for the first time this summer.
And the two most-experienced Olympians on this US team opened the Paris 2024 Games — not to mention a bid for a fifth consecutive gold medal for the Americans — with a near-perfect show.
Durant made his first eight shots on the way to 23 points in less than 17 minutes, James added 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and the US rolled to a 110-84 win over Serbia in the Olympic opener for both teams on Saturday.
They were a combined 18 for 22 from the field — 8 of 9 for Durant, 9 of 13 for James — as the US had no trouble with the reigning World Cup silver medalists from last summer in the Philippines. Jrue Holiday scored 15, Devin Booker had 12 and Anthony Edwards and Stephen Curry each added 11 for the US.
Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic scored 20 points for Serbia, while Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 14.
LeBron James makes Olympics return but Durant stars as USA open with win
USA v Serbia
19:12 , Jack Rathborn
I’m watching LeBron James go through his warm-up here, he’s got the plaster on the eye after needing stitches for a nasty cut.
‘The King’ is in a plain white vest and taking plenty of shots before a few words with Anthony Edwards.
Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis out here taking shots too.
How the teams got here - Serbia
19:05 , Chris Wilson
Serbia met the USA in their opening game of the tournament, but ended up losing 110-84.
They recovered to beat Puerto Rico 107-66 in their second game, and then rounded off the group stage with a 96-85 win against South Sudan.
In their quarter-final, they beat Australia 95-90, setting up a rematch with the USA.
How the teams got here - USA
18:55 , Chris Wilson
The USA started their gold medal defence with a 110-84 victory over Serbia.
In their second match, they beat South Sudan 103-86, before finishing the groups with a 104-83 win over Puerto Rico.
In the quarter-final, they beat Brazil 122-87 to set up another game against Serbia.
Basketball semi-finals: France 73-69 Germany
18:44 , Jack Rathborn
Basketball semi-finals: France 73-69 Germany
18:32 , Jack Rathborn
The sheer noise for Schroder, here, down three with 9.4 seconds ledt, he steps up with two free throws.
First one... missed it! Wild cheers ring around, but he’ll drain the next, Germany down two, 7.4 seconds remaining.
A game of nerve, who will blink first? Not France, Cordinier with two big-time free throws.
Germany turnover, Les Bleus have done it! A wild ride, but the hosts are in the final, remarkable.
They were five-point underdogs here, but the second-half wave was too much for the world champions.
Basketball semi-finals: France 71-68 Germany
18:26 , Jack Rathborn
Les Bleus can’t score... But Wagner turns it over after pressure from Fournier, a monster roar, it's a France ball!
12 seconds remaining, such drama here, they can taste the gold medal match.
Theis fouls Wembanyama with 11 seconds remaining, France up 70-68… two free throws, he misses the first!
“Wemby, Wemby, Wemby” rings round the Bercy... One more free throw... GOT IT!
France up 71-68, Germany have 10.9 seconds, they need a three, timeout, and time for a cool head, a beautiful play, the ball game is here. Even USA assistant Erik Spoelstra is taking a peak after arriving for the late game against Serbia, he’s loving this thrilling semi-final too.
Basketball semi-finals: France 70-68 Germany
18:23 , Jack Rathborn
Schroder, two! The lead chopped to four points and now Germany want to foul.
Heaping the pressure on Lessort and two free throws... ONE! But he misses the second!
Drama here, Wagner with a clutch three, he’s been missing for so long, they’re his first points of the half.
Dirk Nowitzki just loves that one, 38 seconds remaining, France lead by two!
Basketball semi-finals: France 69-63 Germany
18:21 , Jack Rathborn
The clock is running down, the margin for error is small for Germany now.
But there’s more than 90 seconds remaining. Obst misses a scooped shot from mid-range.
France standing tall on defence. 65 seconds remaining... Timeout!
Basketball semi-finals: France 69-63 Germany
18:18 , Jack Rathborn
Here come Germany!
Andreas Obst with the big three, lead trimmed to six points, my word. The arena knows this is getting tight late on.
The world champions have 2:45 to erase this lead. Timeout and we can take a breath.
Can Wagner get back into this? He’s matching up with Wembanyama on defence, but Germany need his offence too.
Basketball semi-finals: France 69-60 Germany
18:15 , Jack Rathborn
Yabusele is getting cries of M-V-P! He’s been everywhere!
The Frenchman drains two free throws, then he stops Schroder coming under the basket for a lay-up, brushing the ball out of play.
France up by nine points with less than four minutes remaining.
Can Germany find something late?
Basketball semi-finals: France 66-55 Germany
18:12 , Chris Wilson
Jack Rathborn in Paris:
What a wild atmosphere here at Bercy Arena! Victor Wembanyama, cold for so long from three, finally gets one to go with his seventh try.
But in truth it's not the scoring that makes 'The Alien' so influential. The blocking is electric, the arena has come alive after that fingertip stopped Schroder's own three-point attempt.
The support cast, too, they're buzzing around this giant of a man and Les Bleus can taste a gold medal match. A remarkable surge in this second half to leave the well-oiled German machine spluttering.
Basketball semi-finals: France 66-55 Germany
18:09 , Jack Rathborn
Basketball semi-finals: France 66-55 Germany
18:08 , Chris Wilson
It’s going so well for France now as Wembanyama makes a brilliant block before they go down the other end and sink a three, for the 13-point lead!
Germany reply with two points of their own but they’re running out of time in Paris – six minutes left and they trail by 11.
Basketball semi-finals: France 63-53 Germany
18:03 , Chris Wilson
Ntilikina with the early rebound to take us to 58-50, but Germany land the three to claw back some ground. They win the foul in their own D soon after, so they have a chance to get within three – they don’t take it, as France force the travel and win it back.
Wembanyama finally lands a three on his seventh attempt, and we go to 61-53!
And Lessort does brilliantly to find the gap and guide in for two! Now France have a ten-point lead!
The hosts in a commanding position with just seven minutes left in the final quarter.
Basketball semi-finals: France 56-50 Germany
17:58 , Chris Wilson
Yabusele and Cordinier have combined for 29 points so far today – they’re setting the pace for the French, with Wembanyama a handy support act!
Schroder is carrying the German effort but he needs a little more support.
We’re underway in the fourth.
Basketball semi-finals: France 56-50 Germany
17:56 , Chris Wilson
France certainly in the ascendency here, and that notion is made concrete as Fournier sinks a huge three to make it 56-50.
In defence, Lessort does enough to win back possession, but Wembanyama can’t capitalise as his shot hits the rim.
Germany’s three attempt bounces off the glass, and the third quarter ends with France up 56-50.
Basketball semi-finals: France 51-49 Germany
17:49 , Chris Wilson
Wembanyama misses his fifth three of the match so far, though he made up for it with a brilliant block on Schroder. Lessort is the next to block, but eventually Germany land the two off the rebound.
Batum’s pass is intercepted, and Germany have the chance to retake the lead – but Schroder’s three falls short.
Just over three minutes left in this period, as Schroder floats in for two to eventually take his side ahead, but Cordinier replies with a three!
Basketball semi-finals: France 48-45 Germany
17:43 , Chris Wilson
More gret finesse from Yabusele as he lands two before getting the foul. He lands the free throw for three, too.
Another huge cheer as Batum gets back in time to deny Schroder at the rim. Moments later, he lands the bucket and gets the foul to take France to 48-45.
Basketball semi-finals: France 42-42 Germany
17:40 , Chris Wilson
We’re underway in the third quarter, and we start with both sides missing opportunities before Batum lands a three to give France the lead for the first time!
Yabusele blitzes in to land a two, through Germany reply straight away, but Batum lays it up for Yabusele to score another two.
Schroder lands two to keep us level, but Yabusele again with a two!
Both sides are really trading blows here, with the points drying up for now as Wembanyama knocks it out behind the baseline.
17:32 , Chris Wilson
Basketball semi-finals: France 33-33 Germany
17:24 , Chris Wilson
Jack Rathborn at the Bercy Arena:
France will be thrilled with this, they outscored Germany by seven points in the second quarter and the noise here is deafening. Measured at 105db, that's roughly the same noise as a power saw.
Wembanyama's growth here is providing the spark with Cordinier weaving his way down the court. The rhythm of the game changed and Germany's offense dried up: Just eight points in the second quarter. A live semi-final here and the tension in the arena is palpable.
Basketball semi-finals: France 33-33 Germany
17:20 , Chris Wilson
Yabusele gets two to take France two points behind. Schroder attempts the three but it was wild, and France are level as Wembanyama punches in for two!
Yabusele does brilliantly to intercept just outside the D with 11 seconds left, so France have a chance to take the lead for the first time as the first half ends.
Cordinier can’t convert the three though, and we go into half-time level at 33-33.
Basketball semi-finals: France 29-33 Germany
17:15 , Chris Wilson
Great work from Schroder as he wriggles in and lays it off to Theis for two.
He does similar soon after, this time drawing the foul, but Germany can’t convert it into a shooting chance.
Wembanyama hits the rim with the attempted three, but Yabasele converts the rebound.
Only briefly back in it though, as Germany reply immediately with a two.
Batum misses another three, Yabasele misses a two, Schroder does the same, and finally Cordinier threads through for Batum to dunk in two.
A couple minutes left in the second period and France are within four.
Basketball semi-finals: France 25-28 Germany
17:08 , Chris Wilson
Wembanyama gets the biggest cheer of the day so far with a superb block at the glass, but France can’t capitalise.
Sloppy from both sides really, as they waste attacking chances without even taking the shot.
Finally some points as Wembanyama gets into the ‘D’ and takes two points off the glass - he’s fouled too, so he gets the free throw chance too, which he lands to take his side within three.
Six minutes left in the second quarter.
Basketball semi-finals: France 22-28 Germany
17:02 , Chris Wilson
Underway in the second quarter in Paris.
It begins with Germany sinking another three from the corner, and they’re back with a double-figure lead. France overestimate the shot clock and Batum misses a poor attempt at the three, but Germany can’t take advantage down the other end.
Cordinier dances through for the two, before Germany lose possession sloppily and France could suddenly be back within six. And they are, as Wembanyama converts from the rebound at the second time of asking.
Basketball semi-finals: France 18-25 Germany at end of first quarter
17:00 , Chris Wilson
Jack Rathborn in Paris:
This atmosphere at the Bercy Arena is intimidating for Germany, the kind you will not see in the NBA for the most part. There is plenty of hissing and whistling at the German players and then the roar at each significant bucket.
Cordinier is the heartbeat of the French so far. A beautiful clash of styles, with Germany coach Gordie Herbert inspiring the likes of Julian Nagelsmann in football, his big stars Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner have come to play, sinking big threes already.
Gregg Popovich is one interesting spectator here, the San Antonio Spurs coach is keeping a close eye on the giant Victor Wembanyama.
The French are in a seven-point hole after one quarter.
Basketball semi-finals: France 20-28 Germany
16:59 , Jack Rathborn
Basketball semi-finals: France 18-25 Germany at end of first quarter
16:55 , Chris Wilson
Great work from De Colo to ship it out to Cordinier, who lands the three to take France within two points with just over two-and-a-half minutes left of the first quarter.
An exchange of scores follows, though Bonga lands a free throw to take Germany to 21-18.
Cordinier misses the three and Germany go up the other end and win a foul, so it’ll be Weiler-Babb to go for it – he lands both for 25-18.
Both Wembanyama and Bonga miss their attempts at a three, and the first quarter ends with Germany’s defence suffocating the French attack to run down the clock.
We go into the first break at 25-18 to Germany.
Basketball semi-finals: France 13-18 Germany
16:45 , Chris Wilson
One missed free throw from Batum and a missed three could’ve got France back into it, but not for now.
Some great work from Schroder takes him to the glass, and he cushions in for two.
Fournier misses the three and Obst makes him pay with a straightforward two, though the Frenchman makes up for it straight away by going down the other end and scoring himself. Moments later, he slides it in to Lessort, who converts to take France within five.
Basketball semi-finals: France 2-12 Germany
16:39 , Chris Wilson
A huge three from Franz puts the world champions 12-2 up. A double-figure lead within just three -and-a-half minutes.
Some sloppy possession from the hosts coupled with accurate shooting from the Germans, and they have a commanding lead already.
France have made a change already, with Rudy Gobert coming on.
Basketball semi-finals: France 0-6 Germany
16:36 , Chris Wilson
We’re underway in the French capital, with Germany racing into an early 6-0 lead.
France’s starting five includes Wembanyama, Frank Ntilikina, Guerschon Yabusele, Isaia Cordinier and Nicolas Batum.
Germany have gone with Schroder, Daniel Theis, Johannes Voigtmann, Andreas Obst and Franz Wagner.
Basketball semi-finals: France v Germany
16:25 , Chris Wilson
Just five minutes from tip-off in Paris.
Can the hosts avenge their group stage defeat and make their second final in a row, or will Germany make their first ever final?
How the teams got here
16:17 , Chris Wilson
Germany were unbeaten in their group, starting with a 97-77 win over Japan and then beating Brazil 86-73 in their next match.
Their final group game came against today’s opponents, with a dominant 85-71 win surely giving them plenty of confidence ahead of the semi-final.
Their quarter-final against Greece was a similarly straightforward affair, with a 76-63 win setting them up nicely for tonight.
Will they approach the final with a ruthless confidence, or will they let their previous win over France get to their heads? We’ll soon find out.
How the teams got here
16:10 , Chris Wilson
Hosts France started their campaign with a 78-66 win over Brazil in late July, following it up a few days later with a narrow 94-90 win over Japan.
Their final group game was an 85-71 loss against today’s opponents Germany, and this result handed them a quarter-final against Canada. They recovered to win that match 82-73, but the lasting impact of their loss against the Germans remains to be seen.
Can the hosts recover to get the upset and a place in the final, or will the Germans repeat the results of their one-sided group game?
Olympics 2024: Men’s basketball semi-finals
16:01 , Chris Wilson
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the men’s basketball semi-finals at Paris 2024.
Up first we have hosts France, with key man Victor Wembanyama, against Dennis Schröder’s Germany.
Later on, we’ll have gold medal favourites USA taking on Serbia at around 8pm BST.
LeBron James gets stitches after nasty injury in Olympic basketball quarter-final
14:27 , Jack Rathborn
Team USA confirmed their place in the men’s basketball semi-finals in Paris but there was an injury scare with LeBron James forced off through injury.
He was hit in the eye by a stray elbow from Brazil’s Georginho De Paula, during the 122-87 win, which required four stitches.
“I’m alright,” he told the official Olympics website. “I got hit with an inadvertent elbow around the eye.”
James gets stitches after nasty injury in Olympic basketball quarter-final
