The USA demonstrates its class against Serbia

The first appearance of the American basketball team was eagerly awaited, and the star ensemble around LeBron James immediately showed in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille that it was the big favorite to win the gold medal in this Olympic tournament. Although the Serbs briefly managed to carve out a lead in the opening minutes, the longer the game went on, the more the Americans were able to take control.

James, the 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who is aiming for his third Olympic gold medal in Paris after 2008 and 2012, was a defining figure with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Likewise Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns, the MVP of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic tournament, who became the game's top scorer as a substitute with 23 points and only missed one of his shots.

Nikola Jokic, the three-time NBA MVP and currently the most complete player in the world, contributed 20 points for Serbia, but was unable to prevent the clear defeat of the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalists.

The USA continue their campaign against South Sudan on Wednesday. Serbia must show a reaction against Puerto Rico.