The U.S. national team silenced the struggling French 98-87 in an epic final on Saturday, allowing Kevin Durant to become the first American basketball player with four Olympic gold medals.
The Americans extended their streak at the Special Olympics to five gold medals in a row since the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
While Durant and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns each scored 15 points, Stephen Curry put the raucous Paris crowd to sleep with two sweeping three-pointers in the final two minutes. Curry finished the game with a team-best 24 points, sinking 8 of 12 three-pointers.
The French team, led by Victor Wembanyama, came within three points (82-79), but could not make a big enough run to overtake the US team.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ARE GOLDEN AGAIN! 🇺🇸🥇 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/IfqvZHtvlC
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) 10 August 2024
Durant had a quiet first half (six points), but added nine points in the final 20 minutes, including two crucial free throws with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter. He was active enough on the boards with four rebounds and four assists.
Durant set up one of many spectacular plays by throwing a lob to Anthony Edwards, who made a brilliant attack in the final seconds of the third period.
KD throws it up ⬆️
Ant throws it DOWN 💥#ParisOlympics | 📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/Jq9DRJykUd— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) 10 August 2024
Although he was never given a chance to catch his breath, the final whistle ensured that Durant overtook former U.S. national team star Carmelo Anthony, who won three gold medals as a player.
Booker delivered an all-around performance, adding six rebounds and three assists to his 15-point performance. In his nearly 28 minutes on the court, Booker had the second-highest plus/minus at 18.
LeBron James, in what could be his final Olympic appearance with the U.S. team, contributed 14 points and 10 assists, which also tied for the most of his team, and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player by FIBA at the medal ceremony.
His Los Angeles Lakers teammate Anthony Davis recorded eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks in his 19:51 minutes as a substitute, while Edwards reached his point total of eight points in his first Olympic gold medal game.
Wembanyama was a force for his host country, collecting 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 29:32 minutes as a starter.
