USA Basketball Claims Fifth Straight Gold Medal With Win Over France

PARIS, France – USA Basketball won their fifth straight Gold Medal after defeating France 98-87 at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Saturday.

Stephen Curry led USA Basketball with 24 points, including eight three-pointers in the Gold Medal Game against France. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each scored 15 points. LeBron James finished with 14 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.

For France, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama led the way with 26 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Guerschon Yabusele dropped 20 points, while former Jazzman Rudy Gobert had two points and three rebounds in 12 minutes on the floor.

Devin Booker, LeBron James Help USA Basketball To First Half Lead Over France In Gold Medal Game

USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr changed the starting lineup, inserting Kevin Durant, along with LeBron James, Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid.

The start of the game was all about exchanging punches. LeBron James threw down a dunk before Victor Wembanyama drilled a three-pointer. From that point, the lead kept exchanging hands. Victor Wembanyama scored seven of France’s first 11 points.

LeBron James attacked the paint and threw a behind-the-back pass in between two French defenders to find Devin Booker for an open layup. After getting small minutes in the last couple of games, former Jazzman Rudy Gobert checked into the game at the midway point of the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, the United States had a 20-15 lead over France. Devin Booker had seven points to lead Team USA, while Devin Booker added six points. Victor Wembanyama led France with seven points.

After both teams started the game hot offensively, both teams cooled off later in the first quarter. The United States shot 45 percent from the field and hit four threes. France shot 35 percent from the floor and went 1-for-10 from downtown.

Read the rest at kslsports.com