Curry, Kerr and USAB Defeat Brazil in Quarterfinals, Set to Face Jokic and Serbia in Semifinals

Guard Stephen Curry, Head Coach Steve Kerr and USA Basketball defeated fellow Warriors forward Gui Santos and Brazil 122-87 in their head-to-head Quarterfinals matchup. Curry and Santos each headed into Tuesday’s quarterfinal having scored 22 points in group play and added seven points for their respective teams on Tuesday. Santos scored the first basket of the game on a transition layup and Curry got two early layups of his own. Curry was fouled on a 3-point attempt and converted all three free throws and Santos hit a 3-pointer in the second half.

Coach Kerr emphasized defense and ball pressure heading into Tuesday’s matchup and USAB responded by holding Brazil to just 36 first-half points. Curry contributed to this defensive mindset, picking up full court on a couple of possessions and holding his own in the post when guarding taller opponents. Offensively, USAB’s 122 points were the most they’ve scored throughout the tournament. They had six players score in double figures, paced by Devin Booker’s 18 points and five made threes.

Next up for the United States is a semifinal meeting with reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and Serbia. Serbia trailed by as many as 24 points against Australia in their quarterfinal matchup but won in overtime primarily due to Jokic’s stellar play. Jokic tallied 21 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four steals, including the game-sealing post hook in overtime. USAB has played Serbia twice this summer, beating them by 26 points in the exhibition showcase and again by 26 points in group play.

On the other side of the bracket, Germany overcame a 22-point first quarter deficit to defeat Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece. Victor Wembanyama and France beat Canada, which has the second-most NBA players on its roster, only trailing the United States. Germany and France will battle for a spot in the championship game, facing the winner of USAB vs. Serbia.