USA continued their dominance over the world by becoming champions for the 17th time after defeating France 98-87 in the Gold Medal Game of the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.
USA built a 14-point lead in the third quarter but France were sparked by the Bercy Arena crowd to pull within three points with three minutes to play.
Steph Curry answered by draining four three-pointers in 132 seconds down the stretch to finish off the home side.
After making 9 three-pointers and scoring 36 points in the Semi-Finals, Curry connected on 8 three-pointers for 24 points to lead USA. Kevin Durant added 15 points and LeBron James picked up 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists.
It was USA’s 17th gold medal and the fifth in the last five Olympics. France won their fourth silver medal following 1948, 2000 and 2021 – losing to USA in all four Gold Medal Games.
France’s young superstar Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points and Guerschon Yabusele tallied 20 points in the loss.
LeBron James capped an impressive run to the title by taking home the Most Valuable Player award in winning his third gold medal.
James collected 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals in USA’s win over hosts France and averaged 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.
James was joined on the All-Star Five by USA teammate Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama of France, Nikola Jokic of Serbia and Germany’s Dennis Schroder.
Serbia won their second Olympics medal following silver in 2016 by defeating Germany 93-83 in the Bronze Medal Game. Nikola Jokic collected a rare Olympic triple-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for the Serbs.
Final Standings of the Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024:
1. USA
2. France
3. Serbia
4. Germany
5. Canada
6. Australia
7. Greece
8. Brazil
9. Spain
10. South Sudan
11. Japan
12. Puerto Rico.
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