The Americans qualified by virtue of being the defending Olympic champions, after defeating Spain in the 2012 gold medal game.

[3] In their next game, the United States again won easily, this time against New Zealand, to remain undefeated in group play.

[6] In the round of 16, the United States withstood a 25-point game-high effort by Gustavo Ayón, to record a 23-point win against Mexico.

[7] The Slovenians faced the United States in the quarterfinals, holding the USA scoreless in the first two minutes, but once the Americans scored, they went on a 7–0 run, and never relinquished the lead.

Boris Diaw tied the game with four seconds left, then Joffrey Lauvergne scored from the free-throw line, to give Serbia their first loss.

Bogdan Bogdanović had a game-high 21 points, and four other Serbs scored in double figures, to send Serbia to the quarterfinals.

With Brazil within striking distance throughout the game, Tiago Splitter and Nenê were assessed technical fouls in the third quarter; Serbia had a seven-point possession, and never trailed again.

Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum and Evan Fournier made three-pointers, to cut the deficit to four points, with five minutes left.

The Americans also became the third team, after Brazil and Yugoslavia, to successfully defend the world title, and tied the Yugoslavs for having the most championships, with five.

[20] This was the best finish of a national team featuring Serb players, since the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, where Yugoslavia defeated Argentina in the final.