Olympic Men’s Basketball Final Report: Curry’s Consecutive Key Three-Pointers Help USA Defeat France for the Gold

Game Report

In the early hours of August 11, the Paris Olympic Men’s Basketball final took place, with host nation France facing off against the United States.

In the first quarter, James started with a powerful dunk, Wembanyama responded with a three-pointer, Booker matched with another three-pointer, both teams had a good shooting start, Durant hit a trailing three-pointer, Booker scored under the basket, and the U.S. led 10-7. The game’s pace was fast, Yabusele dunked under the basket, Wembanyama drove for a two-handed dunk, the scores alternated, Tatum countered with a dunk, Edwards hit a three-pointer, and the U.S. led 17-13. After a timeout, Koulibaly made a running shot, Edwards hit a step-back three-pointer, and the U.S. led 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Davis scored first under the basket, Wembanyama responded with a putback dunk, Yabusele and Stella hit consecutive three-pointers, Koulibaly countered with a dunk, France overtook by one point, forcing a U.S. timeout. After the timeout, Kerr switched to a small lineup, James scored to stop the bleeding, the U.S. perimeter began to heat up, Booker and Curry hit consecutive three-pointers, Adebayo dunked, the U.S. retook the lead by five points, Booker and Yabusele nearly clashed, the scores alternated, James made a tough 2+1 play, Durant hit a three-pointer, the U.S. led 40-33. Yabusele dunked over James for a 2+1 play, igniting the crowd, Booker countered with a difficult 2+1 play, the U.S. led by ten points. Yabusele made a buzzer-beating layup, and the U.S. led 49-41 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Durant hit a mid-range shot first, Wembanyama scored on a cut, Embiid drew fouls from Yabusele, making four free throws, the U.S. led 58-45. France brought in Gobert to strengthen interior defense, Curry hit another three-pointer and celebrated with a shoulder shake, the U.S. led by 14 points, forcing a French timeout. After the timeout, Dekker hit a three-pointer to stop the bleeding, Wembanyama scored on a putback, then hit a three-pointer, reducing the gap to single digits, forcing a U.S. timeout. After the timeout, Fournier hit a three-pointer, reducing the deficit to six points, James responded with a three-pointer, the scores alternated, Durant assisted Edwards for an alley-oop dunk, Fournier hit another three-pointer, Dekker made a buzzer-beating layup, and the U.S. led 72-66 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, Davis scored first with a putback dunk, Lesoure responded with a strong dunk, Durant hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc, France kept close, Holiday hit a three-pointer, the U.S. led 80-69. Lesoure made a turnaround buzzer-beater, James dunked powerfully, the U.S. led 82-72 with five minutes left, both sides made consecutive turnovers, France broke the stalemate with consecutive three-pointers, but Curry showed his killer instinct, hitting three key three-pointers in the last minute to seal the game.

Ultimately, the U.S. defeated France 98-87 to win the gold medal.

Player Stats

France: Wembanyama 26 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Yabusele 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals; Dekker 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Fournier 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Koulibaly 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Batum 5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal; Lesoure 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Stella 3 points, 3 assists; Gobert 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Ntilikina 1 rebound, 1 assist; Albicy 1 assist; Cordinier 1 assist, 1 steal;

USA: Curry 24 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 2 steals; Durant 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal; Booker 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; James 14 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals; Davis 8 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Edwards 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal; Holiday 6 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists; Embiid 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Tatum 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal; Adebayo 2 points, 1 rebound;

Starting Lineups

USA Starters: Curry, Booker, James, Durant, Embiid

France Starters: Ntilikina, Batum, Yabusele, Cordinier, Wembanyama