Kevin Durant available for U.S. men’s basketball Olympic opener vs. Serbia

Durant, for his part, has been trying to soak in the atmosphere despite his injury. 

“It’s been incredible,” Durant said. “I mean, I haven’t played yet, but just being on the sideline, on the bench, I’ve got more energy than I’ve had in the past. I hate not playing, but just watching these guys, how they operate, it’s just been incredible.”

It’s hard to overstate the impact Durant’s return would have on a U.S. team shooting for a historic fifth straight gold medal in Paris. KD has his fingerprints all over the U.S. Olympic record book: He’s the men’s team’s all-time leading scorer, and he’s seeking to become the first player who can claim four Olympic men’s basketball golds. Facing a field with more NBA talent than any other in Olympic history, Durant’s scoring and versatility will be key to a successful gold-medal defense — a fact not lost on the rest of the star-studded roster.