Team USA captain Kevin Durant took control early Thursday and drove the Americans to a 97-78 comeback win over Australia and a berth in the gold medal match.
Durant had 23 points, nine rebounds, and two steals as the United States trailed by as many as 15 during a rough first half in Saitama, Japan.
The U.S. will either meet France, who upset the Americans in group play, or Luka Doncic and Slovenia in the final on Saturday.
It is the team’s fourth consecutive gold medal game at the Olympics.
Devin Booker had 20 points in the win, while Jrue Holiday scored 11 with eight assists and eight rebounds.
Patty Mills led Australia with 15 points, while Dante Exum had 13 and Jock Landale 11.
Australia led 24-18 after one quarter thanks in large part to Joe Ingles’ seven points and two assists.
And the Aussies would grow their lead to 15 by the 5:23 mark of the second quarter, as Dante Exum was exceptional in collecting 10 points and two assists.
The former Utah Jazz teammates were part of a unit shooting 44 percent from 3-point territory.
