After the win, James told reporters, “Every game is a test in itself” as the U.S. team looks ahead to its semifinal match against Serbia.
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LeBron James and Stephen Curry at the Olympic showcase in Paris
The US men’s national basketball team is one step closer to Olympic gold.
The U.S. team defeated Brazil 122-87 in its quarterfinal match at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Tuesday, August 6, led by LeBron James with 12 points and another 18 points from Devin Booker.
After the game, James, 39, told reporters, including PEOPLE, “We have to continue to help each other distribute the ball and then we’ll get into a great rhythm.”
The Lakers star went down after being elbowed in the eye by a Brazilian player and left the court to go to the locker room. James told the media after the game, “I’m fine,” and that he was looking forward to facing Serbia in the semifinals.
“We understand that and we see an opportunity. The only game that is guaranteed is the next one,” James said when asked if the U.S. team was nervous about being beaten for the gold medal by another country in the future.
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“That’s the only thing we’re focused on and we’re looking forward to the game. Every game is a test in itself. No matter what happened in the first two games, it’s about what happens on Thursday night,” James said of their semi-final clash.
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LeBron James (centre) gestures during a training session at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium
The men’s basketball team was supported by LeBron’s son Bronny James and A’ja Wilson of the U.S. women’s team, who sat courtside alongside Snoop Dogg. The popular rapper and unofficial mascot of the U.S. team wore a head-to-toe patriotic look for the quarterfinals in Paris.
Also in attendance were NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, James’ agent Rich Paul and actress Taraji P. Henson.
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Also on Tuesday, France defeated Canada with the help of 2.23 m tall Victor Wembanyama.
Team USA will face Serbia on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. ET – featuring NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit people.com for the latest coverage before, during and after the Games. And sign up for Going for Gold, our Olympic newsletter, to get the most important stories from the Games delivered straight to your inbox. Watch the Paris Olympics and Paralympics on NBC and Peacock starting July 26.
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