France had home-field advantage and rising star Victor Wembanyama, but the United States had Stephen Curry, and that was all that mattered in the late stages of Saturday’s gold medal game, when the U.S. team won its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in men’s basketball.
The United States held off France 98-87 behind 24 points from Curry, while a star-studded group that included LeBron James and Kevin Durant thwarted a late French comeback.
The Americans led by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter, but that lead was cut to just three after a shot by Victor Wembanyama with just under three minutes remaining.
From there, Curry took off, hitting four three-pointers from the 2:48 mark to lead the Americans to gold.
His final stab came during a broken play with 35 seconds left, when He launched a triple on the arms of Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum to restore the lead to nine for the U.S.
Stephen Curry led the U.S. with 24 points, half of which came after the 2:48 mark in the fourth quarter.
LeBron James was named MVP of the men’s basketball tournament for his performance in France
The U.S. men’s basketball team has won gold at five consecutive Olympic Games
There was no turning back for France, and Curry knew it as he did his famous “goodnight celebration,” with the final half-minute proving inconclusive for the United States.
James, who was later named MVP of the men’s basketball competition, finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds and nine assists, while Durant and Devin Booker added 15 points each for the eventual winners.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play basketball at a high level for a long time,” Curry told NBC’s Mike Tirico after the game. “… This ranks very high in terms of excitement and feeling of relief to get to the finish line.”
U.S. coach Steve Kerr, who also coaches Curry with the Golden State Warriors, added: “It’s up there with all the best games of his career.”
“The execution of the shots was just incredible, but given the circumstances, in Paris, against France for the gold medal, this is the stuff of fairy tales. But that’s what Steph does. She likes to be in storybooks.”
Wembanyama impressed in defeat with 26 points and seven rebounds, but his individual brilliance was not enough and he was visibly upset after the game as he covered his face with a towel.
The United States led by 14 points at the start of the third set and looked set to slip away.
But the offense quickly cooled and when Evan Fournier hit a three-pointer with 3:05 left in the quarter, the lead was cut to 65-59, a 12-4 run for the hosts.
Victor Wembanyama was very disappointed by the defeat, but he played very well for France.
Stephen Curry celebrated his ‘night of glory’ after stabbing France
And with a chance to go up by double digits in the fourth quarter, a big mistake by the United States gave France another boost. Anthony Edwards and Durant exchanged good passes on a turnover, Nando De Colo scored before the buzzer and the U.S. lead was just 72-66 heading into the final 10 minutes.
From there, however, Curry and the heavy favorites heading into these Olympics did enough to avoid the ignominy of a loss in the final.
“I think we’re the only team in the world whose fans are embarrassed if they win a silver medal,” Kerr said afterwards. “That’s the pressure we’re under.”
“But our players, and you saw Steph, love pressure. They appreciate this atmosphere and they were fantastic.”
The win also makes Durant the first four-time men’s gold medalist in Olympic basketball history, while James now has three medals and Curry earned his first gold medal.
“It’s special,” Curry said. “Two years ago when we won our last championship, I knew this was going to be on the horizon. Whatever mission you set out to do, you have to give it your all.”