The gold medal game in men’s basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics unfolded like a fairytale, with 20-year-old star Victor Wembanyama vying for victory in front of a home crowd. However, France fell short against one of the strongest teams ever, succumbing to Team USA with a score of 98-87.
In the final two minutes, France was trailing Team USA by three points after having fought back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Wembanyama and former San Antonio Spurs guard Nando De Colo led a valiant comeback. Just when it seemed France might swing the momentum, Stephen Curry responded with four three-pointers, sealing the game for the Americans.
Wembanyama, who had struggled in his previous games, shone brightly in the championship, scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds. He was the top scorer, consistently making crucial plays and hitting key shots to keep France competitive. Guerschon Yabusele added 20 points, including a highlight dunk over LeBron James, while De Colo contributed 12 points.
Team USA relied again on the star power of Curry, James, and Kevin Durant. This experienced trio played pivotal roles throughout the tournament, with Curry scoring 24 points and providing five assists. He excelled with an 8-for-13 mark from the three-point line, while Durant scored 15 points and made important shots late in the game. James bounced back from being dunked on by Yabusele, nearing a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds.
France applied pressure on USA’s guards, forcing 17 turnovers, which helped them close the gap. However, they struggled offensively against such a formidable opponent. France recorded a shooting percentage of 47.2% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, while Team USA marked impressive stats of 53.7% shooting overall and 50% from three-point range.
With this victory, Team USA celebrated its 17th gold medal overall and fifth consecutive win in men’s basketball. France, meanwhile, secured its second consecutive silver medal and fourth overall at the Olympics, all of which have been silver. The future looks promising for French basketball with young talents like Wembanyama, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, and Nolan Traore emerging on the scene.
Wembanyama exited the court in tears following the loss, but as a second-year NBA player, his Olympic journey has just begun. He is set to be a focal point in the basketball world for the upcoming decade. The rivalry between the U.S. and France in international basketball seems poised to continue, with the 2024 Paris Olympics marking just the beginning of this developing contest.