Durant to Start for USA in Final vs France

Team USA is set to start Kevin Durant, the all-time leading scorer for USA Basketball, in the gold-medal game against France at the Paris Olympics. Sources informed The Athletic that this decision comes after Durant has yet to start in the tournament, despite his significant contributions off the bench. Jrue Holiday, who has started the last two games, will transition to a supporting role as the team aims for Olympic gold. In the semifinal match against Serbia, Team USA staged a remarkable comeback from a 17-point deficit, ultimately winning 95-91. Durant played 24 minutes, scoring nine points, with seven of those coming in a crucial fourth quarter. He also recorded three rebounds and one assist, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Notably, Durant recently surpassed Lisa Leslie to become the highest scorer in Olympic history for USA Basketball, amassing 503 points throughout his Olympic career. Throughout the Paris Games, Durant has averaged 20.5 minutes per game, contributing 13.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. In contrast, Holiday has averaged 18.9 minutes, with 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Holiday did not participate in the group-stage game against Puerto Rico but has been instrumental in the team's success in the knockout rounds. As Team USA prepares for the final showdown, the combination of Durant's scoring prowess and Holiday's defensive skills will be pivotal in their quest to secure the gold medal.