BACK WITH A BANG - Returning Durant powers U.S. past Serbia

PARIS, France (AFP) — Kevin Durant returned from injury to produce a shooting masterclass as the United States launched the defense of their Olympic basketball crown with a 110-84 win over Serbia on Sunday.

Durant, who missed the entirety of the US’ Olympic build-up with a calf injury, shot a near-perfect 8-of-9 from the field to finish with 23 points in a convincing win for the reigning champions, who are eyeing a fifth straight Olympic crown.

“It feels good to make some shots,” Durant told reporters after the win.

“Everybody played their role pretty well tonight and my role was to come in and make some space for the team — glad I was able to knock some down.”

“It’s just basketball at the end of the day. I just tried to follow the game plan, be there for my teammates on the defensive end, and when the ball touched my hands, be aggressive.”

The 35-year-old Phoenix Suns ace, the all-time leader for the US in points, points-per-game and field goals, entered the game in the first quarter with the star-studded American line-up trailing 19-14.

The 14-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star, a member of the US’ gold medal-winning Olympic teams in 2012, 2016 and in Tokyo three years ago, then proceeded to take over, raining in a succession of buckets to get the Americans back on track.

LeBron James provided scoring support with 21 points, with Jrue Holiday adding 15 points and Devin Booker finishing on 12.

Denver star Nikola Jokic led Serbia in scoring with 20 points.

The US is the overwhelming favorite for the Olympic crown and has arrived in France with a squad featuring a galaxy of NBA stars led by the likes of James, Durant and Stephen Curry.

James and Curry lavished praise on Durant after Sunday’s win.

“KD was phenomenal,” James said.

“It’s almost like he never missed anything. If you watch him at practice, everything he does is at game speed. So there’s no surprise he comes out and gets right into it — it’s good to have him on our side.”

Durant’s former Golden State teammate Curry was similarly effusive.

“KD was unbelievable in the first half and gave us a huge boost,” Curry said.

“Nothing he does surprises me. To shoot perfectly in the first half? That’s special. He’s used to this stage.”

“He’s the all-time leading scorer in USA basketball (team) history for a reason. It was great to see him get out there having fun.”

The Americans face South Sudan in their second group game on Wednesday before wrapping up the first round in Lille against Puerto Rico next Saturday.

On Sunday’s evidence Golden State coach Steve Kerr’s squad will take some stopping when the 12-team tournament moves to Paris for the knockout rounds on 6 August.

Serbia, led by three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Jokic, made a fast start in Sunday’s clash at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, sprinting into an early 10-2 lead.

But the arrival of Durant from the bench galvanized the US lineup, and once the Americans found their shooting touch the result was never in doubt.

Durant was welcomed into the game with a blatant body check by Vasilije Micic which sent the 6-foot-11 35-year-old sprawling to the hardwood.

Durant, however, took the Serbian physicality in his stride and tormented the Europeans with an exhibition of flawless shooting to help the US pull clear 25-20 at the end of the first quarter.