It’s not that Kevin Durant makes these difficult shots that amaze the basketball world, which has become accustomed to the seven-footer flicking his wrists with nothing but swishes as a result. What amazes these observers and the crowd Sunday at Pierre Mauroy Stadium is that he makes hard work look so easy.

Durant, who had not played in any of Team USA’s exhibition games because of a calf injury, returned in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Group C opener against Serbia and produced a first half that was ‘magnifique’. Durant hit all seven of his shots and Team USA overcame an early deficit to cruise to a 110-84 victory.

“I was tired, I’m not going to lie to you,” Durant said. “My lungs were getting used to that intensity of the game. But it felt good to make some shots.”

Durant, 35, made his first eight shots and led Team USA with 23 points in less than 17 minutes as the Americans opened Group C play with a dominating final three quarters. LeBron James, who was the best player on the floor in several stretches even at age 39, added 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, including some powerful drives through multiple Serbian defenders.