Curry’s late barrage seals US Olympic gold for USA
Stephen Curry was thinking about this two years ago, after winning his fourth NBA title. The only thing left for him to win was Olympic gold.
And in the ultimate moment, he made sure that medal would be his.
The USA remains on top of the men’s basketball world after Curry scored 24 points and led the way to a 98-87 win over France in the final at the Paris Games on Saturday night.
It was the fifth consecutive gold medal for the US and the 17th in 20 all-time Olympics appearances.
Curry made four three-pointers in the final three minutes, including one that just sealed the win, putting them nine points up with just over a minute left.
If that wasn’t enough, after another triple with about 30 seconds left, Curry performed a “go to sleep” move, putting his hands on the side of his face as he ran back to defence.
Good night. Game over. Gold won. Again.
Kevin Durant, the first four-time men’s gold medalist in Olympic basketball history, scored 15 for the Americans, as did Devin Booker.
LeBron James, wearing metallic gold shoes that needed no explanation, scored 14 as he won his fourth Olympic medal and third gold.
For the second consecutive Olympics, the French had to watch the Americans hold out USA flags in celebration after the title game.
The French lost to the USA. 87-82 in Tokyo three years ago and this one also came down to the final minutes. That is, until Curry took over.
Victor Wembanyama, in his first Olympic final, was brilliant for France, scoring 26 points, covering his face in a towel afterward as the Americans celebrated.
Serbia, which led the US by 17 in their semi-final before capitulating in the fourth quarter, rebounded for bronze, defeating Greece 93-83.
The victory follows the US women’s basketball triumph: the fifth straight Games that the stars and stripes have won both events.
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