After a shocking start to the tournament - with the first loss in 17 years - US NBA stars have played their part.

On Tuesday morning, they advanced to Thursday's semifinals where the winner between Australia and Argentina awaits.

This morning's quarterfinal against Spain - with Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol in the team, among others - was even.

Kevin Durant showed the way from the start, among other things with a powerful dunk and seven of the USA's first 17 points at the position 17-10.

38 points by Rubio

But the Spaniards pulled up and turned to the lead with 40-29 and at that stage the United States was shaken.

However, the Americans pulled up and the score was 43 equal at half time.

In the second half, the USA connected the grip early and never let Spain really close again.

Kevin Durant was the best player on the field and led the star team with his 29 points.

He also had to, completely alone with the basket, determine the final result 95-81 with a thump in the closing seconds.

Ricky Rubio, everyday in the Minnesota Timberwolves, was the best scorer in the game with 38.

Six of the last seven golds

Since the NBA players entered the 1992 Olympics, the United States has won six of seven golds.

The only blunder in the protocol came in Athens in 2004 when they went out to Argentina in the semifinals and "only" took bronze.

This despite the fact that the team included names like Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

This year's edition also includes some of the NBA's top players.

Not least Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), Damian Lillard (Portland) and Devin Booker (Phoenix).

Doncic took Slovenia to the semi

During the night, Slovenia, led by the big star Luka Doncic, were also ready for the semifinals after a victory against Germany with a clear 94-70.

Doncic was noted almost for a triple-double with his 20 points, eight rebounds and eleven assists.

Zoran Dragic was the top scorer with 27 points.

MORE BASKETBALL: The shock: America's first Olympic loss in 17 years (July 25, 2021)

Javascript is disabled

Javascript must be turned on to play video

Read more about browser support

The browser is not supported

SVT does not support playback in your browser.

We therefore recommend that you switch to another browser.

Read more about browser support

See the photos from the final seconds of the USA's first basketball loss in the Olympics in 17 years, in the clip above.

Photo: Bildbyrån