Team USA head coach Steve Kerr will make a notable change to the starting lineup for the 2024 Paris Olympics final, opting to start Kevin Durant over Jrue Holiday.
NBA insider Shams Charania confirmed that Durant will start against France in Saturday’s gold-medal game, as reported by sources briefed on the decision. Holiday, who started the previous two games against Serbia and Brazil, is expected to come off the bench.
Durant, who has yet to start in the Olympic tournament, played 24 minutes in the semifinal against Serbia. He scored nine points, with seven coming in the fourth quarter, helping Team USA secure a 95-91 victory.
Steph Curry was pivotal in the semifinal, scoring a game-high 36 points and leading the U.S. to the final. Durant’s performance included three rebounds and one assist during the comeback win over Serbia.
Durant, a 35-year-old forward, aims to be the first men’s basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals. He has already set a record for the most points scored in Olympic history by a USA Basketball player, surpassing Lisa Leslie.
Through five games at the Paris Games, Durant averages 20.5 minutes, 13.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Holiday, meanwhile, has averaged 18.9 minutes, 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists throughout the tournament.
Holiday logged minutes in Team USA’s group-stage win against Puerto Rico and started in their last two matches. Durant’s increased role in the final aligns with his experience and performance, as the U.S. looks to secure its fifth consecutive gold medal.
