Wardell Stephen Curry wanted to win gold for the first time in his career, and on Saturday, he made sure it happened.
Curry scored 24 points on eight threes, including four threes in the final three minutes of the game as Team USA won their fifth straight gold medal after defeating the host country, France, 98-87.
LeBron James, who had 14 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists against France, was named Olympic MVP.
James was great, but Team USA probably wouldn’t have won gold without Curry’s heroics. After scoring 29 points in the first four games on 5/20 from deep, Curry exploded in the semifinals and finals. In two those games, Curry scored a combined 60 points, including 17/26 from deep. These were two special performances by an exceptional player.
“This was a test,” Curry told NBC’s Mike Tirico after the win. “Obviously, France in their home building, you knew they weren’t going to quit and they threw everything at us. There was a little bit of that a new team like we have, no matter how much talent we have, we got a little out of sorts down the stretch. Turned the ball over, taking quick shots and obviously it was a big shot to put us up six, that kind of settled everything and then the rhythm, the avalanche came and thankfully the other three went in but that was an unbelievable moment. I’ve been blessed to play basketball at a high level for a very long time. This ranks very high in terms of the excitement and the sense of relief getting to the finish line.”
We’ve seen Curry shoot like this on the big stages in the NBA, but to see him shoot like this in the Olympics was something special and something that many will never forget.
Team USA. breezed through the Olympics until they faced a tough test in the semifinals against Serbia. USA overcame a 17-point deficit, and they emerged victorious; when France posed a similar challenge on Saturday, they once again proved their resilience and determination, securing the gold medal.
The world has caught up, and that’s just the reality of the situation. So, while most assume that Team USA will win gold, nothing is guaranteed.
The USA beat France in the Gold Medal Game in 2021, and they did it again in 2024, but with the 20-year-old Victor Wembanyama on the roster, France will definitely be a factor in Los Angeles in 2028, but for now, Curry, Team USA will enjoy this moment.
Photo: Team USA
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