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Photo: Breanna Stewart Points at Gabby Williams' Buzzer Beater on the Line in USA Win

Aug 11, 2024

When Gabby Williams hit a buzzer-beater at the end of Sunday's gold-medal game between Team USA and France at the Paris Olympics, it caused a bit of a scare for the Americans.

However, Team USA's Breanna Stewart knew immediately that Williams' foot was touching the three-point line, preserving a 67-66 win for Team USA and giving the team its eighth straight gold medal:

Team USA faced its toughest test of the Olympic Games against a France team that was clearly motivated to deliver a victory in front of its home fans in Paris. After entering the game averaging 14.8 turnovers through its first five games of the tournament, the team had 15 turnovers at halftime against France. The Americans fell behind by as many as 10 points in the third quarter before making a comeback.

Stewart was one of the many Team USA players to struggle offensively on Sunday, as she finished with just eight points on 2-of-8 shooting. However, she didn't let that affect the rest of the game and played great defense with two steals and two blocks, one of which came with just 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter to help preserve the lead.

Williams, who led France with 19 points, had made a three-pointer with five seconds on the clock to cut the lead to 65-64. After a pair of free throws by Kaleah Copper, Williams had one last opportunity to force overtime, and it looked like she pulled off a miracle before it was seen that her foot was on the line.

In addition to Team USA's eighth straight gold medal, the win extends the team's Olympic winning streak to 61 straight games. Per ESPN, it's just the third time during that streak that a game has been decided by single digits.

Stephen Curry Posts 'Avengers Unite!' Photos with LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, More

Aug 11, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Stephen Curry was the hero of the United States' 98-87 win over France in the gold medal game on Saturday, hitting eight threes in total and four in a ridiculous fourth-quarter stretch that helped the Americans seal the win.

After the contest, who posed for his first-ever gold medal with LeBron James, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton:

Curry also had fun with a few of his teammates after the game:

There may not have been a gold for the men were it not for Curry, who also scored 36 points and hit nine three-pointers in a semifinals comeback win over Serbia.

"Before every shot you take, you think it's going in," he told reporters Saturday. "All I saw was the rim. I didn't see who was in front of me. I knew it was kind of a late clock situation, but that one impressed myself."

"I've seen that from Steph a few times but it never gets old," Team USA head coach Steve Kerr added. "It's a global game with a lot of great players, but we still feel we have the greatest players."

For Curry, who participated at his first and likely last Olympics, it was an experience he won't soon forget.

"It's everything I imagined, and more," he told reporters regarding his first Olympics experience. "We all signed up for this mission, to continue USA Basketball's dominance. Obviously, I understood it was going to be a really tough task, with some great teams that we were going to face. It's a sense of relief, at the end, but it's more like a sense of accomplishment, obviously knowing what we were able to do."

Angel Reese Reacts to USA's 1-Point Gold Medal Win vs. France at 2024 Paris Olympics

Aug 11, 2024
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: Angel Reese #5 of Team WNBA dribbles the ball during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Dylan Goodman/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: Angel Reese #5 of Team WNBA dribbles the ball during the 2024 WNBA All Star Game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Dylan Goodman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The United States women's basketball team narrowly defeated France on Sunday, 67-66, earning its 10th gold medal overall in the event and eighth in a row.

And Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese—who is an early favorite to be a key member of Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Games—was hype:

Reese, 22, was a part of the only team that actually beat the current iteration of Team USA in the past month, when the WNBA All-Stars knocked off the national team, 117-109.

She posted 12 points, 11 rebounds and a block in that game, while Arike Ogunbowale exploded for 34 points, Allisha Gray added 24 points off the bench and Caitlin Clark posted four points and 10 assists.

Team USA would go on to win six straight games by double-digit points between the USA Basketball Showcase against Germany and its Olympics run before France gave the Americans all they could handle on Sunday.

It was the second straight time the WNBA All-Stars beat Team USA immediately before the Olympics.

"It was like a little bit of a déjà vu feeling, honestly," Team USA forward Breanna Stewart told reporters at the time.

It was certainly a good tune-up for Team USA, which continues to be head and shoulders above the rest of the world in women's basketball. France gave the United States all it could handle, of course, and was mere inches away from forcing overtime.

But the United States—which also claimed gold in the men's tournament for a fifth straight time—remains the basketball epicenter of the world.

Video: Sabrina Ionescu Embraces Kobe Bryant's Wife Vanessa, Daughters After USA's Win

Aug 11, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Sabrina Ionescu #6 of Team United States waves to the crowd after her team's victory against Team France during the Women's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Sabrina Ionescu #6 of Team United States waves to the crowd after her team's victory against Team France during the Women's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Team USA women's basketball team earned its eighth straight Olympic gold medal after a thrilling 67-66 win over France in the final on Sunday at the Paris Games.

After the victory, point guard Sabrina Ionescu celebrated by sharing an embrace with the late Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant and her daughters:

Ionescu had a deep friendship with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi after meeting them while she played at Oregon. Their tragic deaths in early 2020 had a devastating impact on her, she told B/R Mag. She spoke during their memorial ceremony and delivered a moving message.

"I carry Kobe and Gigi with me every day and honor their legacies through my dedication to the game," she said during the service. "I wake up every day grateful for the platform I've been given and I strive to lead by example and serve as a role model for young people and especially girls to pursue sports — a platform Kobe and Gigi were passionate about."

Since Kobe and Gigi's deaths, Ionescu has maintained a close relationship with Vanessa and her daughters. In May, Vanessa posted an Instagram reel that featured the New York Liberty star playing basketball with her seven-year-old daughter Bianka.

"Shooting definitely runs in the family," Ionescu commented with a laughing emoji.

Ionescu played 10 minutes off the bench in Sunday's gold-medal game against France and dished out three assists, including a beautiful pass to Napheesa Collier late in the third quarter that gave Team USA the lead.

After earning her first Olympic gold medal, it can be expected that Ionescu, who has the same "Mamba Mentality" as her mentor, is already motivated to chase another in four years.

Lakers' Anthony Davis Open to 2028 LA Olympics After USA's Gold Medal Win vs. France

Aug 11, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Gold medalists LeBron James of United States and Anthony Davis of United States pose for a photo after winning during the match between the USA and France during the Men's Gold Medal Game on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Gold medalists LeBron James of United States and Anthony Davis of United States pose for a photo after winning during the match between the USA and France during the Men's Gold Medal Game on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers star big man Anthony Davis isn't satisfied with the pair of gold medals he already has in men's basketball.

"I think so," he told reporters Sunday when asked if he would represent the United States at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Davis, 31, was a key member of the group that won gold on Saturday, largely coming off the bench in a frontcourt duo with Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. In total, he averaged 8.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game behind starting center Joel Embiid.

In the process, the United States won its fifth straight gold medal in men's basketball. It will be a heavy favorite to make it six in a row at the Los Angeles Games, and Davis is hopeful to be a part of that effort.

LeBron James Gives 'Avengers' Nickname to Team USA After Olympics Gold Medal Win

Aug 11, 2024
TOPSHOT - Gold medallists (From L) USA's #04 Stephen Curry, USA's #06 LeBron James and USA's #07 Kevin Durant pose after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Gold medallists (From L) USA's #04 Stephen Curry, USA's #06 LeBron James and USA's #07 Kevin Durant pose after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

After leading Team USA to a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, LeBron James revealed the nickname for this year's squad.

Following Saturday's 98-87 win over France in the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, James declared that the star-studded group has been dubbed "The Avengers."

James already had "Captain LeMerica" added to his long list of nicknames earlier during the Paris Olympics, so the Avengers theme fits. It's not exactly clear which members of Team USA earned the roles of Thor, Iron Man or the Hulk, but fans can certainly make their own inferences.

Similar to the famed comic book superhero team, this year's Team USA roster brought together some of the biggest stars from all corners of the NBA. With James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, the team featured an astounding eight NBA MVP awards between them.

Team USA's roster was so stacked that it was hard for some of the best players in the league to even see playing time during the Paris Olympics. Jayson Tatum, who was coming off leading the Boston Celtics to the 2024 NBA championship, struggled to earn consistent time on the floor and had multiple DNPs during the team's run to the gold medal.

Still, like the Avengers, the pieces came together perfectly for Team USA to achieve its ultimate goal. Multiple stars put their egos aside to reach the height of success at the international level.

It can be expected that this year's squad will serve as the blueprint for future Team USA rosters as they try to extend their streak of five straight Olympic gold-medal victories.

Steph Curry Casts Doubt on 2028 LA Olympics After USA Wins 2024 Gold Medal vs. France

Aug 11, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry of Team USA celebrates during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry of Team USA celebrates during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

After winning the first Olympic gold medal of his legendary career, Team USA star point guard Stephen Curry knows there's a chance he won't get a shot at another one.

Following his 24-point performance in Saturday's 98-87 win over France in the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics, Curry explained why the victory was so important to him and indicated that he potentially won't be playing in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

"This might not come around again," Curry said, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. "It was very, very special."

Curry will be 40 years old at the time of the next Olympics. While he's shown little signs of slowing down, it can be expected that the next Team USA roster will largely consist of the emerging stars from the NBA's next generation.

If this stands as the only Olympics of his career, Curry made sure it was a memorable experience. He connected on a whopping 17 three-pointers combined in the final against France and the semifinal against Serbia to help secure Team USA's fifth straight gold medal.

The two-time NBA MVP is already well on his way to a trip to the Hall of Fame, and his Olympic performance adds another chapter to his incredible legacy.

Olympic Basketball Bracket 2024: USA Beats France to Win Women's Gold Medal

Aug 11, 2024
USA's #09 A'ja Wilson challenges Australia's #13 Ezi Magbegor in the women's semifinal basketball match between USA and Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)
USA's #09 A'ja Wilson challenges Australia's #13 Ezi Magbegor in the women's semifinal basketball match between USA and Australia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 9, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States women's basketball team survived a scare from France to win its eighth consecutive gold medal.

A'ja Wilson and Co. did not play their best game, but they found a way to grind out a 67-66 victory over host nation France.

Wilson produced 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum each scored 12 points off the bench.

Gabby Williams led France with 19 points, and she came up a few feet short of tying the game at the buzzer. Williams' feet were clearly inside the three-point line and that led to Team USA winning in regulation.

The gold-medal game victory provided Team USA with its 40th gold medal of the Paris Games, which tied China for the most golds in 2024.

Box Score

France: 9 Q1 / 16 Q2 / 18 Q3 / 23 Q4 / 66 TOT

United States: 15 Q1 / 10 Q2 / 20 Q3 / 22 Q4 / 67 TOT

Player Statistics

Team Statistics

Team USA Survives To Win Gold!!

Copper Has Been Fantastic in the 2nd Half

Gabby Williams With Another Big Game For France

Another Big Bucket from A'ja Wilson!

Game Tied With 4 Minutes To Go

Copper With Some Massive Minutes in the 4th

A'ja with 18 & 12, Game Tied with 5 Minutes Left

A'ja Wilson With Big Defensive Game

Team USA Leads by 2 After 3

Team USA Back in the Lead!

Ionescu With An Assist Off Bench to Give Team USA the Lead

Kelsey Plum With 8 Points off the Bench

Team USA with a Quick 5-0 Run to Cut Deficit to 5

France Opens 2nd Half on an 8-0 Run

Tie Game at Halftime

France Hits Deep Three

France Just Hit a DEEP Three to Tie the Game

Sloppy First Half for Team USA

Chelsea Gray With Early Feed to A'ja Wilson

Team USA Leads By 6 After 1

Most of Team USA's Points From the Free Throw Line

Tough Defensive Battle So Far, Team USA Leads 8-5

Stewie Opens the Scoring

Here. We. Go.

Team USA Starting Five

LeBron James, USA Celebrate 2024 Olympic Gold Medal: Top Highlights, Viral Moments

Aug 11, 2024
TOPSHOT - Gold medallists (From L) USA's #04 Stephen Curry, USA's #07 Kevin Durant, USA's #05 Anthony Edwards, USA's #09 Tyrese Haliburton, USA's #08 Derrick White, USA's #10 Jayson Tatum, USA's #06 LeBron James, USA's #11 Joel Embiid, USA's #13 Bam Adebayo, USA's #14 Anthony Davis, USA's #15 Devin Booker and USA's #12 Jrue Holiday pose on the podium after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Gold medallists (From L) USA's #04 Stephen Curry, USA's #07 Kevin Durant, USA's #05 Anthony Edwards, USA's #09 Tyrese Haliburton, USA's #08 Derrick White, USA's #10 Jayson Tatum, USA's #06 LeBron James, USA's #11 Joel Embiid, USA's #13 Bam Adebayo, USA's #14 Anthony Davis, USA's #15 Devin Booker and USA's #12 Jrue Holiday pose on the podium after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

LeBron James and the U.S. men's basketball team claimed the team's fifth straight Olympic gold medal after defeating France 98-87 on Saturday at the 2024 Paris Games.

Now it is time for the gold medalists to celebrate.

Stephen Curry attended postgame festivities in a sweatshirt that said "night night" in French, referencing the celebration he hit while sinking three-pointers in the fourth quarter of Saturday's gold medal contest.

"I'm in the club, now. I ain't a rookie no more," Curry said about winning a gold medal in his Olympic debut.

"I feel phenomenal," James said after the win. "We got that gold... that's what we came here to do, and we did it."

Anthony Edwards joked after the game that Curry "just got to Paris."

"About three days ago, but we so glad he got here," Edwards said.

Curry, whose three-point shooting was relatively limited during the group stage, helped power Team USA to victory in the gold medal game with 8-of-13 shooting from behind the arc.

Tyrese Haliburton, who did not play in the gold medal game, joked about his limited role in Team USA's win:

Kevin Durant trolled Dennis Schröder after the Team Germany star said earlier Saturday that American basketball involved more entertainment than IQ:

Men's basketball tournament MVP James and the rest of his teammates celebrated with champagne after receiving their medals.

USA Basketball will hope the celebrations continue tomorrow after the women's Olympic team takes on France in their own gold medal match Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Kevin Durant Shades Dennis Schröder in Viral Post After USA Olympic Gold Medal Win

Aug 11, 2024
Gold medallist USA's #07 Kevin Durant poses on the podium after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Gold medallist USA's #07 Kevin Durant poses on the podium after the men's Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Kevin Durant celebrated the United States' gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a jab at Team Germany star Dennis Schröder.

Durant captioned a photo of Team USA wearing gold medals with "ENTERTAINMENT & IQ," a reference to Schröder's criticism of American basketball earlier that day.

Schröder offered reporters a comparison between American and European basketball earlier on Saturday, after Germany lost 93-83 to Serbia in the bronze medal game.

"European basketball is no entertainment, it's straight IQ basketball, straight coaching," Schröder told reporters. "Really, really high IQ guys who know how to play the game. Serbia, Greece, Spain, France, Germany, so many teams out there who know how to play, is athletic, and I think there's a lot of people from Europe in the NBA who make some noise."

Durant, who contributed 15 points to the Americans' 98-87 victory over Team France, did not appear to appreciate Schröder's analysis.

In addition to responding to Schröder, Durant also took to X to celebrate the start Team USA players including himself got in the Amateur Athletic Union.

Two decades after Durant got his start playing in the AAU in the Washington, D.C. area, he is now the first men's basketball player in Olympic history to collect four gold medals.

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