Kevin Durant and the United States men’s basketball team are looking to end their losing streak against Australia at the best possible time as they aim for a berth in the gold medal game. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of hope for U.S. track and field gold tonight, April Ross and Alix Klineman continue their quest for gold in beach volleyball, and the U.S. baseball team are trying to organize a rematch for the gold medal with Japan. Here’s a look at the top US-centric events on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Men’s basketball
What: US vs. Australia
When: Thursday, 12:15 a.m.
TV: Peacock and streaming
You might think you might find the men’s basketball tournament semifinals on regular television, but no, you can’t. It’s always Peacock or NBCOlympics.com to see this one live. France and Slovenia will face off in the other semi-final at 7 a.m. live, in vivid color, on NBCSN. Joe Vardon made the bulk of the last four here.
Athletics
What: Men’s triple jump, men’s shot put, men’s 110 meters hurdles (evening session); 20 km men’s walk; women’s pole vault, men’s 400-meter finals (morning session); plus heats and semi-finals
When: Wednesday, 8 p.m. to midnight; Thursday, 3:30 am-5am (running); Thursday, 6 am-8:45 am
TV: NBC, USA, NBCSN (course walk) and streaming
Plenty of Americans to watch out for in this batch of track and field events, and most medal events feature at least one good shot for gold for the United States Will Claye is a gold medal contender in the triple jump, Ryan Crouser is the favorite in the shot put and Grant Holloway is the best in the world in the 110-meter hurdles. In the women’s pole vault, Katie Nageotte has the two best jumps of 2021. Michael Norman’s personal best time in the 400 meters is better than anyone on the field, although he is two years away from setting it. As usual, highlights from the evening Eastern Time races will be featured on the NBC show. The morning session will be broadcast live in the United States. The march is live on NBCSN.
Baseball
What: US vs. South Korea
When: Thursday, 6 a.m.
TV: NBCSN (delayed, Thursday, 1:30 p.m.) and streaming
The baseball team’s victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday kept their hopes of winning the top prize alive. If the U.S. team beats South Korea, they will face Japan for gold at 6 a.m. ET on Saturday. A loss puts them in the bronze medal game for a rematch against the Dominican Republic at 11 p.m. ET on Friday night. Here is Joe Vardon on the last American victory.
Beach volleyball
What: April Ross and Alix Klineman vs. Switzerland
When: Wednesday, 8 p.m.
Television: NBC and streaming
April Ross and Alix Klineman are one victory away from the gold medal game as they face Anouk Verge-Depre and Switzerland’s Joana Heidrich in the semifinals.
Women’s football
What: US vs. Australia
When: Thursday, 4 a.m.
TV: United States and streaming
It’s not where the women wanted to be, but like Megan Rapinoe said, there’s still a medal to play for. The United States is aiming for bronze against Australia. The teams played a draw in their group stage final. Here’s Steph Yang on what’s wrong with the USWNT at the Olympics.
Golf
What: Women’s 2nd round
When: Wednesday, 6.30 p.m.
TV: Golf Channel and streaming
Nelly Korda shot a score of under 67 to 4 in her first round, tied for second in one shot behind Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom. Fellow American Danielle Kang is 2 under, Jessica Korda is tied and Lexi Thompson is 1 over. Wednesday evening ET tee times: Jessica Korda (7:03 p.m.), Kang (7:41 p.m.), Nelly Korda (9:14 p.m.), Thompson (9:25 p.m.).
Skateboarding
What: men’s park final
When: Wednesday, 11:30 p.m.
Television: CNBC and streaming
Heimana Reynolds, Zion Wright and Cory Juneau are the United States for the Olympic debut of men’s park skateboarding.
Women’s water polo
What: United States vs. ROC
When: Thursday, 2:30 a.m.
Television: CNBC and streaming
The United States are two wins away from a third straight Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo. Spain and Hungary, who beat the United States in the group stage, will meet in the other semi-final at 6:50 a.m.
(Photo: Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images)
