Stephen Curry Leads USA Past France in Gold Medal Game

The United States defeated France on Saturday evening 98-87 to capture their fifth consecutive Gold Medal.

The victory would not have been possible without Stephen Curry’s rampage.

The best shooter that the game of basketball has ever seen scored a USA-high 24 points. All of the points came from three-point range, the most beautiful of which was a fading trifecta over Evan Fournier and Nic Batum that dropped through to give the United States a 96-87 lead with 35 seconds remaining.

France played a great game, with Victor Wembanyama leading their charge with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds. The 20-year-old was 11-for-19 from the field. Guerschon Yabusele scored 20 points, with former NBA guard Nando De Colo putting in 12 off the bench.

France was able to turn the United States over (the Americans had 17 giveaways) and capitalize on such miscues. Yabusele in particular played an aggressive game, marked by a big dunk on LeBron James in the first half. Mathias Lessort also gave France good effort inside.

In the end though, as usually happens, the Americans’ wealth of talent won out. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant each scored 15 points, while James posted 14 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. Anthony Davis blocked four shots and had 10 rebounds off the bench, and did a solid job on Wembanyama.

This was the eighth Gold Medal for the United States since 1992, the first year that NBA players were allowed to compete in Olympic play. Their lone blemish was a Bronze medal finish in 2004.

For the trio of James, Curry, and Durant, the victory is a sweet one in what is sure to be their last Olympic appearances. The future of Team USA is bright with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Booker, and Jayson Tatum leading the way. Tyrese Haliburton, who saw little time, figures to be a part of that future as well.

In the Bronze Medal Game, Serbia prevailed 93-83 over Germany. Nikola Jokic led Serbia with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists on 7-for-15 shooting, while Franz Wagner led Germany with 18 points and brother Moritz scored 16.