The 2024 Summer Olympics mark an opportunity for Team USA to attempt to right the ship. If the USA Basketball Showcase is a sign of things to come, then the Americans will lean heavily on Los Angeles Lakers teammates Anthony Davis and LeBron James to help them do so.
The process of returning to the podium will begin on Sunday, July 28 and potentially run through Saturday, August 10—marking two weeks of remarkably tense action.
For those unfamiliar, Team USA has rallied the proverbial troops after failing to medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With household names such as Stephen Curry, Davis, Joel Embiid, James, and Jayson Tatum joining forces, the Americans are hoping to reverse their misfortune.
If the Americans manage to accomplish their goal, then they'll win the Olympic gold medal in men's basketball for a fifth consecutive time.
The team conquered the USA Basketball Showcase with a 5-0 record in exhibition games. A vast majority of the contests were close encounters, however, with Davis and James often stepping up to pace their team to victory.
If you're hoping to watch the Lakers' franchise players lead Team USA to victory in Paris after a few scares in the exhibition games, we have all of the information you'll need to do so.
Team USA will play in Group C
Team USA enters the 2024 Summer Olympics with a target on its collective chest. Moreover, it will take part in a competitive Group C that includes teams that it encountered during the USA Basketball Showcase—and, in some cases, narrowly escaped.
The group will consist of Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Sudan, and Team USA, with a varying degree of Olympic success and experience across the nations.
Group C | Best Olympic Result |
|---|---|
Puerto Rico | 1964 4th Place |
Serbia | 2016 Silver Medalist |
South Sudan | Olympic Debut |
United States of America | 16x Gold Medalist |
The general consensus among basketball pundits is that Serbia poses the biggest threat to Team USA in Group C. The Americans picked up a dominant 105-79 win at the USA Basketball Showcase, but Serbia, the 2016 Olympic Silver Medalists, is led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Serbia also hopes to have Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who didn't play against Team USA during the exhibition game.
60 years after finishing fourth at the 1964 Summer Olympics, Puerto Rico will look to shock the world once more in 2024. New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado will be leading the charge, along with former NBA wing Davon Reed.
Perhaps the most highly-anticipated rematch from the USA Basketball Showcase, however, will take place against South Sudan. The country is making its Olympic debut in men's basketball, but took Team USA to the limit in a 101-100 escape of a victory for the Americans.
The U.S. is always expected to win in this event, but group play will make it difficult for Team USA to secure the gold.
Team USA's full 2024 Olympic schedule
Team USA will take on three high-quality challengers during Group C action. If you're hoping to watch those games, they will be easily accessible for those with a cable subscription—and will also be available for streaming.
NBC and its networks will play home to the Olympics, and Team USA will be available to watch across its various platforms.
Date | Opponent | Time | Channel | Streaming Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, July 28 | Serbia | 11:15 a.m. EDT | NBC | Peacock |
Wednesday, July 31 | South Sudan | 3:00 p.m. EDT | USA | Peacock |
Saturday, August 3 | Puerto Rico | 11:15 a.m. EDT | NBC | Peacock |
Tuesday, August 6 | TBA | TBA | TBA | Peacock |
Thursday, August 8 | TBA | TBA | TBA | Peacock |
Saturday, August 10 | TBA | TBA | TBA | Peacock |
In the event that Team USA advances from Group C, it will enter the single-elimination stage, starting on Tuesday, August 6. A win then would enable the Americans to play on Thursday, August 8, with the result determining its next encounter.
A victory would send it to the Gold Medal Game, while a loss would have it playing for the bronze. In either scenario, the medaling game would be played on Saturday, August 10.
Throughout the tournament, expect the Lakers' franchise players to continue to remind skeptics of why they rank among the best in the NBA. A run to the Olympic gold medal could also provide the momentum for an improved effort in 2024-25 from Los Angeles overall.
In just a few weeks, Davis and James could match their NBA championship with an Olympic gold medal, further establishing themselves as surefire Hall of Famers.