U.S. Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams Both Beat France to Win Gold at Olympics

The championship games for both the men and women in Olympic basketball involved the U.S. versus France.

The men’s championship was a rematch of the Tokyo games’ championship game. That game was won by the U.S. 87-82. In this one, Steph Curry scored 24 points to lead the Americans to a 98-87 victory over France. Curry was outstanding during the tournament, and picked up his first Olympic Gold Medal. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker each scored 15 points and LeBron James added 14. Durant became the first men’s player to win four golds in basketball. It was the fifth straight gold for Team USA. Victor Wembanyama, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, led France with 26 points.

Link to Men’s Championship Game highlights

On the women’s side, the U.S. was going for its 61st consecutive win and eighth straight gold. The U.S. was a 15 ½ point favorite, but the French were having none of that, taking a 10 point lead in the third quarter. The U.S. came back and held a 65-61 lead late in the fourth, before France’s Gabby Williams, who played at the University of Connecticut and in the WNBA, sank a three pointer with 11 seconds left to make it 64-64. A pair of Kahleah Copper free throws made it 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left. Williams hit a buzzer beater just as time expired, but she was standing on the three point line, the basket was a two pointer and the U.S. came away with a 67-66 victory and that eighth straight gold.

Williams led France with 19 points; A’ja Wilson led the U.S. with 21. Diana Taurasi won her sixth gold medal, a record for the most by any women’s basketball player.

Link to Women’s Championship Game highlights