The United States captured their fifth successive gold medal in the men’s Olympic basketball on Saturday by defeating France 98-87. This victory took place at the Bercy Arena and marked the 17th Olympic gold in U.S. men’s basketball history.
The current U.S. side, powered by NBA heavyweights LeBron James and Stephen Curry, had a little too much for France, despite their hard-fought fight courtesy of Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, in the rematch of the Tokyo 2021 final. France reduced a 14-point deficit to three with 3:04 remaining before Curry’s clutch three-pointer and Kevin Durant’s free throws sealed the win for the Americans.
Curry scored 24 points with a total of eight three-pointers to lead the U.S. Durant and Devin Booker each scored 15, James 14 with six rebounds and 10 assists. Durant became the first to win his fourth Olympic gold, James earned his third, and Curry his first, in his Olympic debut.
Wembanyama starred with 26 points for France, but the team struggled from three-point land – only making 9 of 30 – and were outscored in fast-break points 31-9.
The final drew large attention, with French President Emmanuel Macron and a few NBA legends courtside. But despite persistent efforts from France, including a late push in the fourth, the U.S. never lost control, celebrating at center court draped in American flags.
