Steph Curry delivered a spectacular performance to lead Team USA to a 98-87 victory over France in the men’s basketball final on Saturday, August 10th, securing their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024.
Curry, making his Olympic debut, was instrumental in sealing the win with a flurry of clutch three-pointers. He scored 24 points, including four of his eight three-pointers in the final minutes, effectively extinguishing any hopes of a French comeback. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker added 15 points each, while LeBron James contributed 14 points.
“I was just trying to settle us down. All we wanted to do was get a good shot. It had been a while since we had good possession,” Curry said after the game. “Finally, the momentum was on our side. At that point, your mind goes blank. You don’t really care about the setting or the scenario or anything. It’s just a shot.”
Despite a fierce battle from France, Team USA maintained control throughout the game. Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds, while Guerschon Yabusele added 20 points. France made a late push, cutting a double-digit lead to just three points with 2:58 remaining, but Curry’s final heroics ensured the victory.
With his hands tucked to the side of his face in a gesture of triumph, Curry celebrated a momentous achievement in his career. His final shots not only secured the gold medal but also underscored his legendary status on the grandest stage of basketball.
“We always say, ‘Do what the game calls for’,” Curry reflected. “You just stay confident, stay present and don’t get rattled by the moment. Those last two and a half minutes were special, guys were hyping me up. Like I was saying before, every shot you take you think is going in. That (final one) was a solid flurry of shots. All I saw was the rim; I didn’t see who was in front of me. I impressed myself with that one, for sure.”
