Kevin Durant's Top 10 USA games

PHOENIX (Arizona) - Kevin Durant, arguably the greatest USA national team player of all time, firmly declared he will play at this year's Olympics in France.

"I will play at the Olympics next year," he said at a Phoenix Suns media day press conference in 2023.

Durant, 35, was tournament MVP when USA won the World Cup in 2010, and he was a leading player in the USA's gold medal-winning performances at the 2012, 2016, and 2021 Olympics.

The USA did lose their opening game in Tokyo to France, yet went unbeaten the rest of the way and Durant was the tournament MVP.

In Japan, Durant became the USA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Carmelo Anthony. Durant and Anthony have each won three Olympic gold medals.

Having played in 31 games, he ranks No. 1 among USA men's players all time for points scored (435), points averaged (19.8), field goals made (146) and attempted (276), three-point field goals made (74) and attempted (148) and free throws made (69) and attempted (80).

His glittering array of performances for the USA are unforgettable. Here are his top 10.

USA 89 Lithuania 74 - Sept. 11, 2010

In a battle of unbeaten teams, Durant exploded for 38 points and also corralled nine rebounds to lead the USA into the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Istanbul. He was 14 of 25 from the floor, including five of 12 from three-point range, and also a perfect five of five at the free-throw line.

USA 70 Brazil 68 - Aug. 30, 2010

In what turned out to be the biggest test for the Americans at the 2010 World Cup, Durant put the team on his back. He hit four three-balls en route to a game-high 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and came up with three steals as the USA survived.

USA 98 France 71 - July 29, 2012

On his Olympic debut in London, Durant had a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds as the USA broke open a tight game in the second quarter and pulled away from Les Bleus. Durant dazzled on defense as well with two swats and two steals.

Argentina 97 USA 126 - Aug. 6, 2012

Showing the same ruthless streak that made him the best player at the 2010 World Cup, Durant sunk his teeth into Argentina, exploding for 28 points. KD was white hot from three-point range, drilling eight of his 10 attempts in the Group Phase game at the London Olympics.

USA 107 Spain 100 - Aug. 12, 2012

KD saved his best performance for last in his first Olympic tournament, erupting for 30 points as the Americans staved off Spain's upset bid in the Gold Medal Game in London. Durant, who hit five shots from the arc and was nine of 10 at the line, also had nine boards.

USA 105 Argentina 78 - Aug. 17, 2016

On a day at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics when international basketball icons Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni wore the Argentina shirt for the last time, Durant stole the headlines. The 2.05m (6ft 9in) small forward connected on seven of nine shots from deep and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Serbia 66 USA 96 - Aug. 25, 2016

Facing Serbia, the country the USA had steamrolled by 37 points in the World Cup Final two years before, Durant excelled as the Americans delivered a first-half knockout punch by pouring in 24 of his game-high 30 points - his highest scoring effort in Rio de Janeiro - before the break. Durant nailed all five of his three-balls in the opening half as the Americans rolled to victory in the Gold Medal Game.

 Spain 81 USA 95 - Aug. 3, 2021

With 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup MVP Ricky Rubio pulling the strings and exploding for 38 points for Spain, who were knotted at 41-41 at half-time with the Americans, Durant's steely confidence and marksmanship turned back the upset bid. Durant connected on 10 of 17 shots from the floor on his way to 29 points, including several tough makes after the break, as the USA won the Quarter-Final.

USA 97 Australia 78 - Aug. 5, 2021

Facing the best Australia team ever assembled and trailing by 15 points in the first half, Durant and the Americans struck back with a vengeance. The USA went on a 48-14 run to lead 74-55 at the end of the third quarter and cruised the rest of the way, with KD scoring a game-high 23 points while also coming up with two steals and a block.

France 82 USA 87 - Aug. 7 - 2021

With a chance to avenge the only defeat of his USA career, an 83-76 opening day upset by the French at the Tokyo Olympics, KD took matters into his own hands. Durant poured in 21 of his game-high 29 points in the first half of the Gold Medal Game to set the tone for the Americans.

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