TOKYO (Japan) - Did Team USA superstar Kevin Durant just need a couple of games under his belt at the Olympics before he started playing like, well, Kevin Durant?

It sure seems so.

The 32-year-old scoring machine was held to 10 points in a defeat to France and 10 more in a win over Iran. But on Saturday against the Czech Republic in a game both teams needed to win to be assured of a spot in the Quarter-Finals, he erupted for 23 as the Americans rolled to a 119-84 victory.

The performance has netted Durant with Player of the Day honors.

KD also elevated his initials to unprecedented heights in American basketball. Durant became his country's all-time leading scorer in Olympic history with his 339 points in Olympic play now three more than Carmelo Anthony scored while wearing the Team USA jersey. Just to demonstrate Durant's offensive brilliance,  Anthony did his damage across four Olympics while Durant is mid-way through his third Games.

"I play a team sport and I try my hardest to make it about the group," Durant said. "But it is special to be able to do something like that."

Records are there to savor after the Games are over. Or in the future.

All that matters right now for the USA is winning and claiming a fourth-consecutive Olympic gold medal. They know plenty of hurdles will have to be cleared before that they can again stand atop the podium.

Gregg Popovich's team was struggling to break free from the Czechs, who had to win the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, Canada, to reach the Tokyo Games.

With the Americans leading 50-47 early in the second half, Durant began to wreak havoc with his passing, setting up Jrue Holiday for a couple of layups and Draymond Green for a jumper. His stepback jumper with 3:08 to go in the third quarter stretched the USA advantage to 68-58.

Durant hit four of seven shots from behind the arc

After collecting another assist, blocking a shot, grabbing a couple of rebounds and then hitting a three-ball right at the end of the third quarter for an 82-60 lead he walked off the court and passed Popovich, who wore a smile of satisfaction as he looked at his main man.

Durant, having logged 27 minutes and 35 seconds, sat down for the remainder of the contest. He had eight rebounds and six assists to go with his scoring haul that added up to a game-high efficiency score of +32.

"I have to be prepared to do every single thing out on the court because I don't want to be seen as a liability anywhere," Durant said. "I want to feel like my coaches can trust me in any situation."

Had Durant not come up with his big performance on Saturday, Chimezie Metu would have had a big claim for the Player of the Day honor after pouring in 22 points.

Metu scored 22 points for Nigeria on Saturday against Italy

The 24-year-old also had +32 efficiency for Nigeria during a stunning afternoon of shooting the basketball. Metu totalled only five points during his first two Olympic Games, but against Italy, he got hot early and ended up drilling six-of-seven shots from behind the arc.

Metu also had a game-high 10 rebounds for Nigeria in their 80-71 defeat to Italy.

FIBA