PARIS (France) — In a dramatic finale at the Bercy Arena, the United States clinched their 17th Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball, thanks to an extraordinary performance by Stephen Curry. The game, filled with intensity and excitement, saw the USA defeat France 98-87, marking France’s second consecutive silver medal.
A Thrilling Contest
From the start, the game delivered high drama. The first half was a whirlwind of lead changes, with the score shifting ten times in the opening 15 minutes. The United States eventually seized control in the latter part of the second quarter, thanks to Devin Booker’s 13 points, building a 10-point lead by halftime.
France’s Victor Wembanyama and Guerschon Yabusele kept the game within reach. Wembanyama, the 20-year-old sensation, scored 13 first-half points, while Yabusele electrified the crowd with a dunk over LeBron James just before halftime.
The Turning Point
LeBron James, fueled by Yabusele’s dunk, came out firing in the second half. He assisted Stephen Curry on consecutive three-pointers, extending the USA’s lead to 61-47. Despite a strong effort from France, including a late surge by Evan Fournier and a buzzer-beating shot by Nando De Colo, the USA maintained their lead.
In the final minutes, Curry took over. With the game tight and France within three points, Curry delivered four critical three-pointers in just 132 seconds, sealing the victory and dazzling the crowd.
Hero of the Game
Stephen Curry was the undeniable star of the final, showcasing his legendary shooting skills. Curry finished with 24 points, including 8-of-12 from three-point range. His performance in the last two games of the tournament, where he combined for 60 points, was a testament to his brilliance.
LeBron James added 14 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each contributed 15 points, rounding out the USA’s offensive power.
Statistical Highlights
France struggled with their shooting, making just 9-of-30 three-pointers, while the USA excelled with 18-of-36 from beyond the arc. This performance set a record for the most three-pointers made in a final of an Olympic tournament.
Notably, Curry made eight three-pointers, the highest number for any player in a final. Kevin Durant became the first player with four Olympic gold medals and is now the only US player with more than 400 points in Olympic history.
Reflections and Quotes
LeBron James expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting their resilience and unity. He praised Curry’s contributions, noting, “I’ve seen it before—in a different uniform. It’s nice to be on his side.”
Kevin Durant admired Curry’s exceptional shooting, acknowledging the possibility of future records being broken. “Steph was an out-of-body experience,” Durant said. “I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
Stephen Curry spoke about his approach and mindset during the game. “Those last two and a half minutes were special,” he said. “The game called for me to get shots up and knock them down. I stayed confident and present.”
Steve Kerr, the USA coach, reflected on the experience with gratitude. “I’m blessed to coach these guys,” Kerr said. “This has been an amazing experience. We had a real wonderful group of players committed to winning.”
Victor Wembanyama of France acknowledged his team’s efforts and the growth of basketball in France. “We are growing, and basketball is growing here,” Wembanyama said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished.”
Vincent Collet, the French head coach, described the tournament as a “crazy journey” and expressed mixed emotions about the outcome. “We can have some regret,” Collet said. “But we got a medal, and that’s something to be proud of.”
Nicolas Batum echoed these sentiments, noting the team’s potential and areas for improvement.
Bottom Line
The United States demonstrated their dominance in Olympic basketball once again, with Curry’s remarkable performance playing a pivotal role in their gold medal victory. As they celebrate their continued success, the focus will shift to future global events, including the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Meanwhile, France can take pride in their performance and look forward to future competitions with their emerging star, Victor Wembanyama.
Leave a Reply