Kevin Durant made a significant impact in Team USA's Olympic opener against Serbia, scoring 14 points off the bench after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him for all pre-Olympic exhibitions. His shooting prowess helped the U.S. overcome an early deficit, contributing to a lead of up to 11 points during the first half. Team USA, featuring stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, is aiming for its fifth consecutive gold medal, while Serbia is led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić. With Durant's return, the team is now fully staffed for this crucial matchup, which showcases the depth of talent on both sides. This game is part of a broader Olympic campaign for Durant, who is seeking to become the first four-time Olympic men's basketball gold medalist. The game embodies the continued global expansion of basketball initiated by former NBA commissioner David Stern.