Paris 2024 Olympics: Kevin Durant returns with a perfect start as Team USA runs away from Serbia

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.

LeBron James: ‘The butterflies came out**’**

Team USA had only won its final two exhibition games by a combined five points, leading to concern as to whether the Americans were ready for their toughest matchup in group play. An 11-0 first-quarter ending run gave Team USA the lead for good and it spent the rest of the evening staving off Serbian rallies and extending the lead with timely shooting and fast-break points.

“It’s the best game we’ve played so far (including pre-Olympic exhibition games),” James said. “I thought they tested us early. The second group came in, gave us a big lift. (The atmosphere) was phenomenal. Listening to our national anthem, listening to the fans cheer, definitely got a little nervous, my stomach - the butterflies came out.”

The packed audience at Pierre Mauroy cheered vigorously from the beginning, roaring when James carried out his customary talcum powder toss at the scorer’s table before opening tip. The crowd was littered with LeBron James jerseys and he hit the floor for his first Olympic action in 12 years. He is bulkier and a little more gray than London 2012, but he displayed those eye-popping skills that makes him one of the all-time greats.

“I’m so grateful to have him back,” Durant said of James. “We’ve missed him the last two Olympics. He puts fear in the other team. That goes a long way, the psyche of the game. He’s running downhill, making the right plays on the offensive and defensive end. He’s just insane and I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Stephen Curry having the time of his life

It was also the Olympic debut for 36-year-old Stephen Curry, who because of various circumstances had not played on a U.S. national team since the 2014 World Cup. He showed some early jitters with a turnover and then getting beat on a backdoor play, prompting coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout less than three minutes into the game, but he bounced back with 12 points and three assists.

“That’s the beauty of this experience is rekindling some old flames with KD (Durant), playing with guys I’ve never played before like LeBron and the rest of the crew that we have,” Curry said. “I’m having the time of my life and enjoying every minute of it.”

Curry admitted he was nervous before his Olympic debut. The four-time NBA champion has played in every kind of big game, every kind of professional tournament, except this one.

“It was a really cool environment in there, obviously it was sold out to the nosebleeds and the energy was great,” he said. “Putting on this jersey at this level, I’ve been looking forward to it for a very long time and I’m just enjoying the moment. That’s why you see me so animated, from the Opening Ceremony until tonight on the bench. I’m loving it.”

Kevin Durant looks like he has never been away

The major storyline Sunday was Durant, a three-time medalist who is Team USA’s all-time leading scorer - and he displayed that prowess with a series of crisp jump shots, even an off-balance leaner to end the first half as Team USA took control for good.

“I’ve obviously coached Kevin for three years and more than any player I’ve ever been around, when he comes back from a long absence, you don’t notice it,” Kerr said. “He’s so skilled and he just looked like he was in mid-season form after not playing in a real basketball game for a couple of months. Pretty incredible.

“I thought Serbia played really well in the first quarter. And so Kevin coming in, the whole group - the whole second group - came in and did a really good job and got the game back in our favor. And we were able to build on that from there.”

Gary Washburn is an Olympic Channel correspondent and National NBA Writer for the Boston Globe.