2024-08-11 14:50:02
The 2024 Paris Olympics Men’s basketball gold medal game had all the makings of a storybook ending. A 20-year-old superstar had the chance to win a gold medal in front of his fellow countrymen. Standing in Victor Wembanyama’s way was one of the best basketball teams ever assembled. France fought tooth and nail until the very end, but couldn’t overcome Team USA in a 98-87 loss.
With the game on the line in the last two minutes, the French trailed Team USA by three points. After going down 11 points in the fourth, France rode the back of Wembanyama and former San Antonio Spurs guard, Nando De Colo, to a comeback. When it seemed like the momentum was swinging back in France’s favor, Stephen Curry hit four three-pointers to bury the French and secure the gold.
After struggling in France’s last two games, Wembanyama came up big in the gold medal game. He had 26 points and 7 rebounds in the loss. Wembanyama led all scorers, making plays at the basket and hitting deep shots to keep France in the game at every turn. He was aided by stellar performances from Guerschon Yabusele, who had 20 points, including a dunk on LeBron James, and De Colo who had 12 points.
Team USA was led by the trio of Curry, James and Kevin Durant once again. The veteran three-some was crucial to their semi-final game against Serbia. Curry had 24 points and 5 assists. He shot 8-13 from three-point range. Durant hit some big shots late in the game, finishing with 15 points. James recovered from the Yabusele poster with a near triple-double. putting up 14 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds.
France ratcheted up the pressure on USA’s guards and forced 17 turnovers. That pressure is what got them back in the game. They simply lacked the offensive firepower to take down a team as good as the U.S. France shot 47.2% from the field and 30% from deep, while Team USA shot 53.7% from the field and 50% from deep.
Team USA wins its 17th total and 5th straight gold medal. France finishes with a silver medal for the second straight Olympics, it’s the country’s 4th total Olympic medal, all of them silver. Things are looking up for the country’s gold medal chances. Wembanyama is a bonafide superstar at 20 years old who could be supported by up-and-coming players like Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher and Nolan Traore.
Wembanyama left the court in tears after the loss. As a second-year NBA player, his Olympic journey is only beginning. He will be at the center of the basketball world for the next decade and some change. It certainly feels like the U.S. and France will be duking it out for gold medals in FIBA and the Olympics for the foreseeable future. The 2024 Paris Olympics are just the start of a blossoming international rivalry.
