Australia could not have asked for a better start to its quarterfinal matchup against Serbia at the Olympics. The Boomers' first half was sensational, as Patty Mills and Josh Giddey were pacing an offense that was seeing everything fall, while its defense was holding Nikola Jokic and the Serbs in check.
At one point, Australia was up by as much as 24 and held a 12-point lead after the first half. Everything was clicking for an Australian team that appeared to be well on its way to reaching the medal rounds.
Then, Nikola Jokic happened.
The Serbian center showcased exactly why he's considered the best player in the world, leading the way as Serbia ferociously stormed back in the second half to eventually defeat Australia 95-90 in overtime. The Nuggets star nearly turned in a triple-double, recording 21 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, along with four steals.
With the win, Serbia secured a spot in Thursday's semifinals, while knocking out the Boomers from medal contention.
It was an abysmal collapse by Australia, which had hopes of getting back to the podium after finishing with the bronze in Tokyo. The loss likely could have been the final Olympic game for veteran stars like Mills, Joe Ingles and Matthew Dellavedova, ending their Olympic careers on a sour note.
For Serbia, the team now awaits the winner of USA-Brazil, who play later on Tuesday afternoon in their quarterfinal matchup.
Here is more on Australia's loss and how Jokic took over for Serbia.
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Inside Australia's collapse vs. Serbia
Australia could not be stopped in the early goings on Tuesday. Mills poured in 12 points in the first quarter alone, with Giddey contributing eight en route to a 31-17 quarter in favor of the Boomers. The team extended the lead to 24 at one point in the second quarter before Serbia gained a bit of momentum back to close out the first half.
Still, Australia found itself with a 12-point lead heading into halftime. The team was comfortably in the driver's seat for a spot in the semifinals, and had kept Jokic to just 11 points, the only Serbian player in double digits.
That lead quickly vanished. Before you knew it, Bogdan Bogdanovic sank a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter to put Serbia up 61-60. While the Serbian offense came alive, Australia could not stop coughing the ball up, as a turnover-filled quarter led to Serbia carrying a two-point lead into the final quarter.
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In the fourth quarter, the two sides locked down for a defensive battle, with Serbia maintaining a small lead. However, Mills kept Australia's hopes alive when he sank a last-second shot over the towering Jokic that fell through the basket, knotting the game at 78-78 with less than two seconds left in regulation.
Then it became Joker time.
The Serbian center put his team on his back in the extra frame. He showed off his three-time NBA MVP talent, dominating at both ends of the court. In a 90-second span, he blocked a shot from Giddey, swiped a lay-up off the rim, grabbed a steal and sank a hoot shot to give Serbia a one-point lead.
The final nail on the coffin courtesy of the one they call Joker came with 25 seconds remaining, as he hit his signature Somber Shuffle to give his team a three-point advantage.
It was a sensational showing out of Jokic, coming through with clutch and clutch moments when his team needed it the most. It kept Serbia's gold medal hopes alive, as the country aims to win its first gold in men's basketball since 1980.
Nikola Jokic stats today vs. Australia
Final: Serbia 95, Australia 90
- Minutes: 38:34
- Points: 21
- Rebounds: 14
- Assists: 8
- Steals: 4
- Blocks: 1
- FGs: 9-for-18
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