ISTANBUL — Kevin Durant is unlike most of America’s biggest basketball stars. He couldn’t wait to wear the red, white and blue this summer.
Especially on Sept. 11.
With a special memorial message on his sneakers, Durant carried Team USA into the gold medal game at the world championship, scoring a U.S.-record 38 points Saturday in the Americans’ 89-74 victory over Lithuania.
“I just wanted to remember everybody back in the States, everybody that was affected by 9/11,” Durant said. “And to play on this day was a great honor and we just tried to do our best to play hard for our country and our families.”
Durant soared over defenders or stepped away from them for 3-pointers, scoring 17 in the first quarter to stake Team USA to an early lead that was never seriously challenged.
Durant went on to surpass Carmelo Anthony’s record of 35 points and raise his average in the tournament to 22.1, which would be the best ever by a Team USA player.
“I’ve seen him score 45, 35, back-to-back,” said Team USA guard Russell Westbrook, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder with Durant. “It doesn’t surprise me at all what he’s been doing.”
Team USA plays Turkey today for the gold medal.
Turkey 83, Serbia 82 Semih Erden blocked a last-second shot to clinch Turkey’s semifinal victory over Serbia.
Following a turnover by Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu, Serbia’s Novica Velickovic dribbled in for an open layup with half a second left — only to be denied by Erden.
