Curry scored 24 points and led the way to a 98-87 win over France

Stephen Curry (4) reacts during a men’s gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena/ LAPRESSE

Stephen Curry had been contemplating the pursuit of an Olympic gold medal for two years, ever since he clinched his fourth NBA championship. With his legacy in basketball already well-established, the elusive Olympic gold was the last major accolade missing from his illustrious career. Determined to complete his trophy cabinet, Curry committed to playing for the U.S. men’s basketball team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting his sights on the ultimate prize.

The final game of the tournament saw the U.S. facing off against France, a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 final where the Americans had narrowly prevailed. This time, however, the stakes felt even higher, with Curry leading a star-studded lineup that included Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Devin Booker. The U.S. team was aiming for its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, a testament to its dominance in international basketball.

Curry’s performance in the final was nothing short of spectacular. He scored 24 points, leading the U.S. to a 98-87 victory over France. His shooting was particularly lethal in the game’s closing moments, where he drained four crucial 3-pointers in the last 2:43 of the match. The most significant of these came with just 1:19 left on the clock, a deep three-pointer that extended the U.S. lead to 93-84 and effectively sealed the victory. Curry’s celebratory skip down the court, shaking his jersey to proudly display the “USA” logo, became an iconic moment of the Games.

But Curry wasn’t finished yet. With about 30 seconds remaining, he made another three-pointer, following it up with his signature “go to sleep” gesture, signaling that the game was over and the gold was theirs. This final flourish encapsulated Curry’s incredible ability to deliver in clutch moments, a skill that has defined his career.

The victory also highlighted the continued excellence of Kevin Durant, who became the first male basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals. Durant, who contributed 15 points in the final, has been a mainstay of the U.S. team across multiple Olympic cycles, consistently delivering when it matters most. Alongside him, Devin Booker also scored 15 points, while LeBron James, wearing metallic gold shoes that needed no explanation, added 14 points to the U.S. tally, securing his fourth Olympic medal and third gold.

France, despite the loss, put up a valiant fight. The team was led by the brilliant young star Victor Wembanyama, who scored 26 points in his first Olympic final. Wembanyama, widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in the sport, covered his face with a towel after the game, visibly emotional as the Americans celebrated their victory. Guerschon Yabusele also made significant contributions, adding 20 points for the French team.

The game wasn’t always a runaway victory for the U.S. They led by as much as 14 points early in the third quarter and seemed poised to pull away, but the French team, playing in front of a home crowd, mounted a comeback. A 12-4 run brought France within six points, and the momentum appeared to be shifting. The U.S. made a critical error as the third quarter ended when a miscommunication between Anthony Edwards and Durant led to a turnover. Nando De Colo capitalized on the mistake, scoring a buzzer-beater to cut the U.S. lead to just six points going into the final quarter.

France got as close as three points in the fourth quarter, but that was when Curry took over. His late-game heroics ensured that the U.S. would not be denied, as he carried his team across the finish line to secure the gold medal.

This victory not only reaffirmed the dominance of the U.S. men’s basketball team on the international stage but also solidified Stephen Curry’s status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. His Olympic gold medal was the final piece in a career that has seen him revolutionize the game of basketball with his unparalleled shooting ability and clutch performances.