The U.S. men’s basketball team clinched their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal with a solid victory over France, winning 98-87 in Paris. After a challenging game against Serbia earlier in the tournament, the Americans dominated much of the action in this matchup. Steph Curry shone in his Olympic debut, hitting eight three-pointers and scoring 24 points.
One of the key aspects leading up to the game was whether Jayson Tatum would play. The Boston Celtics star had been benched twice in the tournament due to his teammates’ performances. In this final game, Tatum came off the bench, contributing with one basket and three rebounds. Jrue Holiday also provided key support from the bench, scoring six points and assisting four times. Derrick White did not see any playing time.
The Americans maintained control throughout the second half, never giving up their lead, in contrast to their earlier game where they had trailed by 17 points.
In women’s basketball, Brittney Griner celebrated the placement of her third Olympic gold medal next to her newborn son, Bash. Griner’s journey back to the Olympics was significant; two years prior, she was imprisoned in Russia for drug possession. After spending ten months in captivity, she was released in a prisoner exchange in December 2022.
Now, 612 days post-release, Griner successfully added to her accolades with a gold medal, reflecting on the challenges she overcame. “It was a long journey, a hard journey to get back into it,” said the 33-year-old player. She highlighted a newfound appreciation for the simple aspects of Olympic life, emphasizing the importance of each practice opportunity.
In the gold-medal game against France, Griner scored four points and grabbed two rebounds. Following the victory, she celebrated with teammates, including former player Lisa Leslie, and expressed her emotional connection to the experience, especially during the national anthem. Griner capped off the day by taking a team selfie while proudly displaying her gold medal.