PARIS (France) – A memorable tournament deserved a memorable Final game. In front of the packed and incredibly loud stands of the Bercy Arena, the United States picked up their 17th Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball.
France put up a fight, did not give up even when the USA led by 14, and gave their fans a lot of hope that a miracle could happen.
LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and all the other stars on Team USA’s roster had different plans. It finished 98-87, leaving France with another silver, same as at the 2020 Olympics.
It was an electric first half, with a total of 10 lead changes in the first 15 minutes, but the United States took control of the game in the second part of the second quarter, opening up a 10-point lead behind Devin Booker’s 13 points.
The biggest reason why France weren’t down by more than 10 at the break were Victor Wembanyama and Guerschon Yabusele. The 20-year-old giant had 13 first half points, more than in the Quarter-Finals (7pts) or the Semi-Finals (11pts), while Yabusele brought down the house with the dunk of the tournament, flying over LeBron James just before the halftime.
But that got James even more motivated for the second half. He found Steph Curry twice on wide open three-pointers to push the gap to 61-47 after just three minutes of action in the second half.
However, powered by a classical FIBA Evan showing, France made it interesting before the final ten minutes, Fournier having seven straight points and Nando De Colo beating the buzzer to make it -6 (72-66) from the hosts’ point of view with ten to play.
They went back-and-forth until the final three minutes of the game. As Wemby brought France within just three points with three minutes to go, Steph Curry decided it was time to put this game to bed, in his usual fashion.
He knocked down not one, not two, not three, but FOUR massive three-pointers in a span of 132 seconds from the 2:47 mark to 0:35, one crazier than the other, pushing the gap to 96-87 in the final minute, stunning the French part of the crowd, and delighting the Americans in the stands of the Bercy Arena.
Take a bow, Mr Curry. The basketball world was once again amazed with the 36-year-old and his shooting touch, as he combined for 60 points in the last two games of the tournament.
Curry had 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. Reminder, he made 9-of-14 in the Semi-Finals against Serbia.
Right next to him: LeBron James with 14 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds. Also in double digits: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, both with 15.
Stats don’t lie
To defeat this team, you would have to have a perfect shooting day, and France were far from it, hitting just 9-of-30 three-pointers. By comparison, USA were 9-of-20 at the half, and finished 18-of-36.
Bottom line
The United States remain on top of the world, at least when it comes to the Olympics. They put an unbelievably talented team together for Paris, with everybody united towards that one goal, winning the gold medal again.
They’ve achieved it now, and coach Steve Kerr can slowly start planning the next phase of USA Basketball, with the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 and the 2028 Olympics as their next two global events. Kevin Durant is now the first man with four Olympic gold medals to his name.
As for France, they gave it their all, and have a real superstar in the 20-year-old Victor Wembanyama. In his first Final, he went off for 26 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough, as only Guerschon Yabusele was able to follow his lead, getting 20 points in the game.
Quick notes
The United States have won their fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics
They made 18 three-pointers in the Final, the most by any team in a final of an Olympic tournament. It was their 10th game with 15+ three-pointers at the Olympics, at least seven games more than any other team, ever
France made just 59 percent of their free throws, the lowest percentage from the line in a Final since FR Yugoslavia also shot 59 percent in 1996
Victor Wembanyama had his first game with 20+ points at the Olympics, and with Yabusele, he created the first pair of teammates to get 20+ in the Final since Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro in 2012
Steph Curry made eight three-pointers, the most for any player in the final of an Olympic tournament
Curry is only the third player with 20+ points in a single game at the Olympics without making a single free throw or a two-pointer (also Wang Shipeng vs Australia in 2012, and Damian Lillard vs Iran in 2021)
Kevin Durant is the first player with four gold medals at the Olympics, with 518 points he is the only US player with more than 400 points in this competition and ranks 8th all-time now.
They said
LeBron James, USA
“It’s a big moment for USA Basketball. We came together and stayed even keel no matter what was going on in the preliminary games and the tournament games and we got our moment. This is what we all wanted. We came here with one common goal and we took care of business.”
About Steph Curry: “I’ve seen it before – in a different uniform. It’s nice to be on his side.”
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“I’ve seen it before – in a different uniform. It’s nice to be on his side.” LeBron James on Steph Curry
How this compares to the other two golds: “It’s the best one – it’s the one that’s right now. Obviously the Redeem Team we needed to come back because we had a couple years where we weren’t playing to our capabilities. The Redeem Team came back. And then in 2012 we played some good ball as well and were able to win that in London. We put this team together very fast. We didn’t like the way we played last summer. So we put this team together very fast. We had to come together in less than a month.”
Can you see yourself playing in LA? “Nah, I can’t see myself playing in LA. But I also couldn’t see myself playing in Paris. Four years from now, no, I can’t see myself playing.”
Kevin Durant, USA
“It was an incredible game and an incredible time here in Paris and Lille – so much support for the game of basketball. Grateful that I could do it with these two (Steph Curry and Steve Kerr) again. I had so much fun. Steph was an out-of-body experience for me seeing him shoot over two people, hitting nine threes last game, eight threes this game. I’m just grateful to be a part of it.”
About if someone can beat four golds: “Yeah, I can see somebody beating that number. Records are meant to be broken.”
Steph Curry, USA
“Credit to France. They were a great team and brought it out of us. But very thankful to have this gold medal around my neck. I got one, three more to catch K (Durant). Special, special group and I am glad that we got it done.”
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Those last two and a half minutes were special. Guys were hyping me up.
About the threes at the end of the game: “We always say you do what the game calls for and what you kind of feel like in the flow. The first four games I had decent looks. They weren’t falling but they were in the rhythm of the offense for the most part. Coach reminded me early on that the game will come to you if you allow it. Even if I was missing shots, just stay engaged. That kind of fed in to being locked in these last two games. The game called for me to get shots up and knock them down. The Serbia game was just to keep us afloat until we could get over the hump. And then tonight I was able to close it down. You just stay confident, stay present, and don’t get rattled by the moment. We’ve all been in those types of scenarios before where you just have to meet the moment. Just stay confident, look for your shot. Those last two and a half minutes were special. Guys were hyping me up. We had confidence in what we were trying to do. I was just really present in the moment and enjoying myself.”
Steve Kerr, USA
“I am just thankful to coach these guys and be part of the Olympics. What an amazing experience. … This has been an amazing experience, a beautiful experience. Very lucky to coach these guys. So fun to coach Kevin again. And I am very blessed to coach Steph for the last decade. We had a real wonderful group of guys. They were all very committed to winning and to each other and they didnt let anything get in the way of the gold medal.”
Victor Wembanyama, France
“A little bit of realization – we are in the Olympics. We’re going to enjoy the moment. I’m proud of my teammates and what we have done here in France in front of our fans. I’m gonna let it soak in and realize what is going on.”
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I’m proud of my teammates and what we have done here in France in front of our fans.
About the best of USA bringing out the best in him: “The final did. I always try to help my team with whatever is needed and I am always ready to make any sacrifice. Tonight was scoring. Previous games the other teams were more focused on me and the other guys did a great job taking their responsibilities – Isaia (Cordinier), Guerschon (Yabusele). They were just incredible for the whole elimination phase.”
About what he experienced: “I’m learning and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple of years.”
About the world catching up: “This is not granted. We might never get another one. But they might not get another one either. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. But what is for sure is that we are growing. Basketball is growing here.”
Vincent Collet, France head coach
“It was a weird tournament for us. So that was amazing. I have been playing for 15 years for this team and this is the craziest, weirdest tournament I have ever played at with this team. We can have some regret. We can be proud of ourselves. It’s a mix of emotions but on the podium with a medal around our neck, we can be proud of that. We got a medal and it was a crazy journey for us and a crazy couple of weeks but we are still here so we can be proud any way.” – Nicolas Batum, France
“To be honest, today I was expecting more. And the game showed me that we could do more. But you have to play the perfect game and we didn’t do it. I really think that with a little bit more, we could have pushed them much more. Today we were not too far, but I am sure we could do better. But it’s like that. We had a chance but we didn’t take it. So we have to think about that next team.”