Sixth man Kevin Durant was fun while it lasted.
Following an incredible second-half comeback in the semifinals against Serbia, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr will reportedly stick with arguably the most decorated Big Three ever seen on an international stage. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Kerr plans to insert Kevin Durant into the starting lineup in place of Jrue Holiday for the gold-medal game against France.
This would create a starting five of Durant, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Devin Booker and Joel Embiid, assuming Kerr goes with the lineup used against Serbia. Considering France’s size with Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert (who did not start in the semifinals against Germany), the matchups for Team USA could be something to monitor.
If Gobert draws the start, the Americans would either need to put Durant or James on the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama.
Gobert logged only five minutes in the semifinals and he said it was due to a left ring finger injury, according to USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt. France’s plan for Gobert against Team USA is a big question mark, but if he’s unable to start or play at full strength, it could open up numerous unique potential lineup options for Kerr.
The United States and France will meet on Saturday with the gold medal on the line. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.
