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The championship games for both men\u2019s and women\u2019s Olympic basketball featured the U.S. versus France\u2014or more accurately, the U.S. defeating France.<\/p>\n
First, on Saturday, Aug. 10, the U.S. men\u2019s basketball team faced off against their opponents, featuring 20-year-old phenomenon Victor Wembanyama and a half-dozen other current and former NBA players.<\/p>\n
France put up a strong fight, but with their own NBA star-studded team, Team USA, led by Steph Curry, once again stepped up in the game\u2019s final minutes to hold off France. Curry, who had already been crucial in the challenging semifinal against Serbia, proved his worth yet again.<\/p>\n
After trailing by 14 points in the third quarter, France clawed back to make it a one-possession game with just under three minutes to go, thanks to a tip-in by Wembanyama. But Curry responded by hitting four three-pointers in the final three minutes\u2014his last being an incredible shot over Wembanyama\u2019s outstretched arms. This gave the U.S. an insurmountable nine-point lead with just 35 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just simply marvel at his talent,\u201d said LeBron James of his teammate. \u201cI\u2019ve seen it before, in different uniforms. It\u2019s good to be on his side.\u201d<\/p>\n
In total, ten U.S. players scored, with four in double digits. Curry led the way with 24 points, and the final score was 98-87. The result mirrored the last Olympic title game in Tokyo in 2021, where the U.S. defeated France 87-82 to win gold.<\/p>\n
Shortly after, it was the U.S. women\u2019s turn to face the French team, but they too were fiercely contested throughout the match.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Aug. 11, the game began with France flying out of the gates, jumping to an 8-0 run to start the second half. However, the Americans rose to the occasion, making history after a frantic final sequence.<\/p>\n
Holding on after a tough first half, the Americans were up 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper hit two free throws. A\u2019ja Wilson also scored 21 points. But the U.S. secured victory, 67-66, thanks to a last-second shot by former UConn standout Gabby Williams that was just inside the 3-point line, resulting in a two-point shot rather than a three.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, I wish I could put it into words. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll remember that second half for the next couple of weeks. It\u2019s all a blur right now,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe were just resilient in what we needed to do to go bucket for bucket. That is great basketball. That is what people want to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
No team had been able to challenge the Americans during their impressive streak of 61 consecutive wins.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dynasty we\u2019ve built here at USA Basketball has been incredible,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe believed in each other, and that\u2019s the greatest thing about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n