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| Stephen Curry said "Night, night!" to France. Bleacher Report |
MANILA--For the second straight playoff game, Stephen Curry came alive and led Team USA to victory, this time giving them the Paris Olympics gold in a 98-87 win against host country France in the championship game of the men's basketball event early Sunday (Philippine Time) at the Accor Arena.
Curry, the NBA's all-time three-point shooting leader, exploded just when Team USA needed the most, making half of his total long bombs in crunch time.
After France, seeking revenge after its 2021 final defeat, drew to within three with just three minutes left, Curry, who was also vital in the Americans' semifinal win against Serbia, hit a three-ball to spark Team USA's late surge within the last 2:47 of the game.
After two free throws from Kevin Durant that upped Team USA's lead to eight, 89-81, the 36-year-old point guard kept on answering France's field goals with three-pointers capped by an iso trey with 34.5 seconds left that was reminiscent of his prime days last decade.
Devin Booker iced the game with a slam dunk off a fastbreak opportunity.
Curry, who was named to the All-Star Five, led Team USA to its 17th Olympic gold in men's basketball with 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting from beyond the arc, one rebound, five assists, and two steals.
Durant added 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, while LeBron James, named the Paris Olympics MVP, chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, and one block.
Victor Wembanyama, also named to the Mythical Team, led France, which settled for silver again despite the homecourt edge, with 26 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
The recently named NBA Rookie of the Year, who also led the league in blocks last season, failed to tally one in the championship game as France only had a Billy Coulibaly swat to show all game long despite also having reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Guerschon Yabusele, who has reportedly attracted some NBA teams to give him another chance, added 20 points, including a highlight dunk against James in the second quarter, two rebounds, and two steals.
The other members of the Paris Olympics All-Star 5 were bronze medalist Nikola Jokic of Serbia, the reigning NBA MVP, and 2023 FIBA World Cup MVP Dennis Schroder of Germany.
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