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Olympic Paris 2024: Team USA Secures Fifth Consecutive Men’s Basketball Gold Medal
11
Aug
Aug
An epic showdown in Paris secures Team USA’s dominance on the global stage.
Team USA’s Golden Triumph
Team USA has once again asserted its dominance in international basketball, clinching its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a hard-fought 98-87 victory over host nation France on Saturday in Paris. Despite the global strides in basketball over the past few decades, the Americans proved that when they bring their best, they remain an unstoppable force.
The game was defined by a remarkable performance from Stephen Curry, who delivered four clutch 3-pointers within a critical two-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, turning the tide against a determined French team. Curry’s game-sealing shot, a breathtaking fallaway 3-pointer over two defenders, silenced the home crowd and secured his first Olympic gold medal. “Before every shot you take, you think it’s going in,” Curry reflected after the game. “All I saw was the rim. I didn’t see who was in front of me.” Curry’s 24 points, including 8-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc, were pivotal in the victory.
LeBron James Named Olympics MVP
While Curry’s heroics were crucial, LeBron James was named the Olympics MVP, contributing 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. This accolade adds to his already illustrious career, including four NBA MVPs and four Finals MVPs. James, who averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists on 66% shooting throughout the tournament, was humbled by the honor. “I’m just living in the moment super humble that I can still play this game and play it at a high level,” James said. “It came with us winning gold, and that’s what’s more important for me.”
James now joins Kevin Durant as one of the only American males to win four Olympic medals, three of which are gold. Durant, who also played a significant role in the final, scored 15 points, further solidifying his place in Olympic history.
France’s Gallant Effort and Wembanyama’s Breakout Performance
France, driven by the electric atmosphere of playing on home soil, pushed Team USA to its limits, particularly in the second half. The French defense, led by standout performances from Guerschon Yabusele and Victor Wembanyama, forced 17 turnovers, keeping the game within reach until the final minutes. Wembanyama, widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in basketball, delivered a career-defining performance with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Despite the loss, his effort and potential were on full display.
Wembanyama, visibly emotional after the game, acknowledged the disappointment but also the growth that comes from such experiences. “Nobody’s going to take [this experience] from me,” he said. “I’m learning, and I’m worried for the opponents in a couple years.”
France, which has now secured silver in three consecutive Olympics, played with heart and determination, but ultimately fell short against the relentless American squad. “It’s a disappointment because we expected we could do it,” said France coach Vincent Collet. “We have to recognize at the end they were better. They’re still the best.”
With another gold medal in hand, Team USA continues to set the standard in international basketball, while France, led by rising stars like Wembanyama, looks to the future with optimism.
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