Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Men's Quarterfinal - Serbia vs Australia - Bercy Arena, Paris, France - August 06, 2024. Nikola Jokic of Serbia in action against Jock Landale of Australia and Josh Giddey of Australia as Filip Petrusev of Serbia watches Pool via REUTERS/Jamie Squire
In a heart-stopping quarterfinal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nikola Jokic and the Serbian national basketball team emerged victorious against Australia with a 95-90 overtime win and the victory has propelled Serbia into the Olympic semifinals, keeping their medal hopes alive.
Jokic’s Heroics Shine Through
Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets‘ star and two-time NBA MVP, played an important role in the comeback of Serbia which has led to the Olympic semifinals. Jokic recorded 21 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing his skill and leadership on the court. His clutch performance in overtime was crucial, including a turnaround jumper over Australia’s Duop Reath that extended Serbia’s lead to 93-90.
A Game of Swings and Momentum
The game was a tale of two halves, with Australia dominating early on. They built a commanding 24-point lead in the first half, leaving Serbia scrambling for answers. However, Serbia managed to regain their composure in the second half, led by Bogdan Bogdanovic, who contributed 17 points.
Bogdanovic acknowledged the immense pressure of the quarterfinals, stating, “Honestly, we didn’t keep cool. But we knew we were down and we needed to find some momentum and rhythm. They had the whole momentum of the game. As I said, this is the biggest pressure of the tournament. Quarterfinals. You know if you lose, you’re out.”
Australia’s Strong Performance
Australia, known for their skills and talent, put up a fierce fight. Patty Mills led the scoring for the Boomers with 26 points, though he was held to just six points after halftime. Rising star Josh Giddey added 25 points, showing his potential on the international stage.
Mills reflected on the intense competition, saying, “I thought we threw everything at them. We’re playing against world-class individuals. World-class teams. World-class coaches. And this is why you play international basketball. It’s a different sport than any other league around the world. It brings the best out of everyone.”
Clutch Moments in Overtime
With the game tied at the end of regulation, Serbia and Australia entered overtime. Jokic continued to be the difference-maker, putting Serbia on top 91-90 with just over a minute left. Australia’s Jack McVeigh misfired on the next possession, giving Serbia another opportunity. Jokic capitalized, extending the lead further.
Australia attempted to set up a play for Mills on the inbounds, but Serbia’s defense was relentless, forcing a turnover and securing the win.
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