Paris Olympics 2024: United States claim hard-fought men’s basketball gold medal with 98-87 win over France

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Paris Olympics 2024: ******* States claim hard-fought men’s basketball gold medal with 98-87 win over France

Steph Curry saved his best for last in Paris, following up his semifinal heroics with a late flurry of three-pointers to help the US shake a gutsy France and claim the men’s basketball gold medal.

Curry knocked down four threes in the final three minutes in a remarkable display of clutch basketball, finishing with 24 points on 8-13 ********* from deep to pace the 98-87 win.

The Golden State Warriors star celebrated with his ‘sleep’ gesture after putting the result to bed with the last of his triples, over two French defenders, to stun the Bercy Arena crowd and cement his status as one of basketball’s greatest-ever players.

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France had minutes earlier closed to within just three points, having trailed for virtually the entirety of the contest, thanks to the stellar play of young phenom Victor Wembanyama (26 points, seven rebounds) and Paris breakout performer Guerschon Yabusele (20 points).

But Curry wouldn’t be denied, with the veteran getting support from former teammate Kevin Durant (15 points) and long-time rival LeBron James (14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds) – with the latter donning gold shoes for the occasion.

Camera IconSteph Curry lets the crowd know. Credit: Mark J. Terrill/AP

It was a maiden gold medal for future Hall of Famer Curry, while Durant became the first-ever man to win four after saluting at every tournament since London in 2012.

After an underwhelming first four games in Paris, Curry came up huge when it mattered most.

The 36-year-old backed up his nine three-pointers in the semifinal win over Serbia with eight in the final to provide an unforgettable finish to the tournament.

“I’ve done a lot in the game, but this right here… this is up there,” Curry said after the game.

“USA all the way.”

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconThe US crew with their medals. Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Steve Kerr, who has spent the entirety of his 10 seasons in charge of Golden State with Curry as his floor leader, was under no illusions as to the significance of the performance.

“It’s right up there with all of the greatest games of his career,” Kerr said.

“The shot-making was just incredible. But under the circumstances, on the road, in Paris, against France for a gold medal, this is storybook stuff.

“But that’s what Steph does. He likes to be in storybooks.”

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconLeBron James and the US team celebrate. Credit: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

James was crowned tournament MVP after a superb fortnight, with the 39-year-old registering a triple-double in the semifinal and throwing down two huge highlight slams in the final.

Having recovered from a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter in the semifinal against Serbia, Kerr’s team was again pushed all the way by France.

Yabusele highlighted the home nation’s fearless attitude with a thunderous poster dunk on top of James in the second term, and very nearly added another opposed to both James and Curry as France stayed within arm’s length.

But they will be left to rue some sloppy late turnovers and missed free throws as the ******* States held their nerve to secure a fifth consecutive men’s gold medal.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconLeBron James and Anthony Davis of the US pose with their medals. Credit: CAROLINE BREHMAN/EPA

Recently-crowned NBA Rookie of the Year Wembanyama was visibly distraught in the wake of the loss, reduced to tears before sitting on the bench with a towel over his face.

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconVictor Wembanyama takes in the loss. Credit: Bildbyran/PETTER ARVIDSON/Bildbyran/Sipa USA

The US will be looking to make it a golden double over France when the women’s team takes on the host nation in the final later on Sunday (WA time).

Serbia earlier secured the men’s bronze medal after a 93-83 win over Germany.

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