After one of the more memorable team performances in recent Olympic history, Team USA star Kevin Durant made his feelings clear about a litany of topics — including a foremost opponent.
Subsequent to the Americans’ come-from-behind win over Serbia and Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic, Durant chimed in on how players truly view the three-time MVP center.
“To all you nuggets fans, nobody gives a f—k who yall lames believe is the best player in the league,” Durant, 35, wrote on X early Friday morning, “players got major respect for Jok, we don’t worship him like yall do but most are in awe of his brilliance. Trolling you cornballs for rooting against us is apart of the game. Deal wit it.”
Durant’s reply came to a fan who not only dug into the Phoenix Suns star and American basketball sensations, but also lauded Jokic.
“Cheering against Team USA? You mean, like all of those Americans who were making fun of Noah Lyles not winning gold in his latest race? Good ol’ double standards,” wrote the X user . “Just admit you hate the fact that Jokic is clearly the best player in the world.”
Durant scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter. Xinhua/Shutterstock
During Team USA’s 95-91 win over Serbia, Jokic was limited to 17 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, one block and one steal, going 0-for-6 from deep.
Meanwhile, Durant — the new all-time leading basketball scorer in Team USA history — mustered only nine points and three rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
Jokic’s efforts weren’t enough to pull off a remarkable upset. NBAE via Getty Images
Steph Curry proved the hero for Steve Kerr’s squad, notching 36 points and eight rebounds while sinking a gaudy nine 3s.
Team USA looked in serious jeopardy of having its Olympic winning streak snapped, trailing the Serbs 76-63 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Durant and other USA stars helped contain Jokic, who finished with 17 points. Getty Images
However, Durant proved massive in the last period, scoring seven of his nine — including a jumper that virtually sealed the deal, putting the Americans up 93-89 with 36 seconds left.
Curry (nine fourth quarter points) and Philadelphia 76ers MVP Joel Embiid (seven) also paved the way for the thrilling comeback.
Durant and the rest of the star-studded roster will take on Victor Wembanyama and France in the gold medal match on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Americans seek their fifth straight first-place finish.
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