Stephen Curry and LeBron James led Team USA to their fifth straight Olympic gold medal with a 98-87 victory over France, while Kevin Durant made history as the first four-time gold medalist in men's Olympic basketball.
Stephen Curry scored 24 points, including eight three-pointers, and Team USA won its fifth straight Olympic gold medal with a 98-87 victory over France on Saturday at Bercy Arena in Paris.
This win marks the United States' 17th gold medal in 20 Olympic appearances. Kevin Durant also made history by becoming the first player to win four gold medals in men's Olympic basketball.
KD dropped 15 points in the final, while LeBron James had a double-double of 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists.
For France, Victor Wembanyama registered 26 points and 7 rebounds. Guerschon Yabusele added 20 points, including a spectacular poster dunk over LeBron.
France claimed the silver medal for the fourth time, having also lost to the U.S. in the gold medal games at the Tokyo 2020, Sydney 2000, and London 1948 Olympics.
The French men's basketball team has yet to win an Olympic gold medal, while the U.S. holds an 8-1 advantage in their nine Olympic matchups since 1948.
Team USA led by as many as 14 points (61-47) midway through the third quarter.
However, with immense defensive efforts, France came back into the game in the fourth. Victor Wembanyama made a putback dunk with 3 minutes to play in the game, and France was just down three (79-82), but Steph Curry immediately responded on the other end with a clutch three-pointer (85-79).
Kevin Durant then added two free throws, but Nando de Colo answered with a two-pointer of his own. Curry and Nicolas Batum traded triples, but Steph added another long-range shot with 1:18 to go and put Team USA in front by 9 (93-84).
Curry eventually iced the game with 35 seconds to play with his fourth straight three, hitting it over two Frenchmen.
Steph, LeBron, and Durant combined for 53 points out of Team USA's 98.
France: Victor Wembanyama 26 (8/11 2PT, 3/8 3PT, 7 REB), Guerschon Yabusele 20 (5/10 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 7/10 FT), Nando de Colo 12.
USA: Stephen Curry 24 (8/12 3PT, 5 AST, 5 TO), Kevin Durant 15, Devin Booker 15, LeBron James 14 (5/8 2PT, 6 REB, 10 AST, 5 TO).
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