The US superstars will be tested at the Olympics in Paris. But even host France cannot defeat the basketball superpower. Kevin Durant sets an Olympic record.
The USA’s basketball superstars, including leading player LeBron James, have won the dream Olympic final against host France and secured their fifth gold medal in a row. In front of 15,000 enthusiastic spectators – including French President Emmanuel Macron, basketball great Dirk Nowitzki and swimming star Leon Marchand – coach Steve Kerr’s team, which included twelve NBA players, won a spectacular match with a score of 98:87 (49:41).
Led by the 39-year-old James, three-point specialist Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the USA were by far the strongest team since the 2012 Olympics in London. Durant, who had stood out in his previous Olympic finals with 30, 30 and 29 points, only managed 15 points this time.
After the victory over the brave French, the 35-year-old veteran is the first male basketball player to win four gold medals at the Olympics (previously 2012, 2016, 2021). The USA’s best scorer was Stephen Curry, who was outstanding in the final phase with 24 points. The USA also won the final against France in Tokyo 2021.
Last big US appearance for James and Co.
This means that the motherland of basketball has also erased the disgrace of the previous year. At the World Cup in Manila, the US boys lost the semi-final against eventual world champions Germany. From the World Cup team, only Anthony Edwards and reserve Tyrese Haliburton were present in Paris. France, with 2.24-meter giant Victor Wembanyama (26 points), held up well for three quarters, but could not beat the big favorites despite maximum support from their own fans.
For James, Curry (36 years old) and Durant (35) it was probably the last big appearance for the national team. James now has one more Olympic gold medal than legend Michael Jordan, with whom he is battling for the status of the best basketball player in history. However, the Los Angeles Lakers star has the stigma of having once returned home from the Olympics with bronze in 2004 – James was 19 at the time. In the morning, Germany had lost the bronze game in Paris against Serbia 83:93.
Source: Stern
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