Team USA’s men’s basketball squad made a resounding statement in their Olympic debut at the 2024 Games in Paris, securing a commanding 110–84 victory over Serbia on Sunday. As they aim for their fifth consecutive gold medal, American fans showed robust support, evidenced by significant viewership numbers.
NBCUniversal, on Monday, disclosed impressive ratings for the commencement of the 2024 Olympics, highlighting that the USA-Serbia showdown captured an average audience of 10.9 million viewers across all NBC platforms. This viewership already eclipses the numbers recorded for the gold medal game at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Team USA triumphed over France.
Kevin Durant and LeBron James spearheaded Team USA’s offensive charge, amassing a combined total of 45 points, with Durant contributing 23 points in under 17 minutes coming off the bench.
In what LeBron James has indicated will be his final Olympic appearance, he delivered a standout performance in the team’s inaugural contest of the tournament.
Looking ahead, Team USA faces South Sudan on Wednesday, a team that posed challenges during their pre-Olympic exhibition. The Americans will conclude their group stage matches with a game against Puerto Rico on August 3, both expected to draw substantial viewership. Team USA’s basketball dominance continues to captivate audiences, solidifying their status as essential viewing in Olympic competition.
