The USA men’s basketball team took on the France men’s national basketball team in the gold medal game. This was the second consecutive gold medal game between USA and France, and the fourth overall matchup between the two countries.
The USA has won all three previous gold medal matchups against France, so they were looking to go 4-0. France looked to pull off the upset win, especially with the crowd on their side since they were the hosts of the Olympics.
Game Recap
It was a back-and-forth game in the first quarter as both teams took turns making shots. It was all about the shooting guards as Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards combined for 13 of USA’s 20 points. Lebron James also had a few highlights of his own, such as a monster dunk and a crazy block.
But France did not make it easy for Team USA as they went on a 10-2 run to retake the lead in the second quarter. Guershon Yabusele, who has been great for France in the Olympics, scored 12 points in the quarter. Victor Wembanyama also got it going after struggling the last two games.
Team USA immediately retook the lead and got it up to double digits before France cut it to eight to end the first half. Team USA began the second half on a 12-6 run to extend their lead by as many as 14. It looked like they were going to run away with the win until they got sloppy and started turning the ball over.
USA had seven turnovers in the third quarter, and the fouls started to pile up, allowing France to cut into the lead at the free-throw line. They also crashed the glass for second-chance opportunities and capitalized on them.
Clutch Time
Team USA led by double digits for a brief moment in the fourth quarter before a 7-2 run by France made it a one-possession game with just under three minutes left. Then, the unthinkable happened.
It was time for someone on Team USA to get them a bucket to end the game, and that is what Steph Curry did. He scored 12 points of the team’s 14 points in the last few minutes of the game. All of his points came from the three-point line.
His last three-pointer came with 35 seconds left when France sent the double team. Despite having two people guarding him, Curry hit the shot and that would ultimately be the dagger that sealed the win for the USA.
The USA won the game 98-87 and won their fifth consecutive gold medal. The Avengers assembled and completed the mission, going undefeated in the Olympics including the exhibition games to take home the gold.
Stephen Curry led the USA with 24 points on eight three-pointers and five assists. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each finished with 15 points. Lebron James finished with 14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Anthony Davis finished with eight points, nine rebounds (six offensive) and four blocks.
Photo Courtesy: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
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