The USA captured its fifth straight gold medal with a 98-87 victory over France, marking the second straight Olympics that the Americans defeated the French in the Finals. The US defeated France 87-82 in the Tokoyo Olympics gold medal game in 2020.
With the win, the US improved to 25-1 in the Olympics since winning the Bronze medal in 2004. While Victor Wembanyama (26 points and 7 rebounds) points and GuershonYabluse (20 points)tried to keep the French close, Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Kevin Durant were just too much.
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Curry saved his best two games in his Olympic debut for last. Curry, who had 36 points and nine triples against Serbia in the semis, scored 12 (all 3-pointers) of the US’s final 16 points to secure the win. The 36-year-old finished with 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting from beyond the arc, five assists, and two steals.
Durant, who became the first four-time basketball gold medalist (men), finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists. The 35-year-old, the US all-time Olympic leading scorer (both men and women), shot 54% from the field and 14 of 27 (51.8%) from beyond the arc for the tournament. He likely finishes his Olympic career with 518 career points, the most of any US player (men or women).
Meanwhile, James continued to shine with his all-around play. James tallied 14 points on 6 of 10 shooting, 10 assists, and six boards. He finished the tournament with six double-digit scoring efforts, one triple-double (Serbia), and a double-double.
Nikola Jokic Joins Elite Company
Serbia is an Olympic bronze medalist thanks to a sensational performance by Nikola Jokic.
Serbia, which took Team USA to the brink in the semifinals on Friday, defeated Germany 93- 83 in the consolation game on Saturday. Jokic tallied 19 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and doled out 11 assists for his first-ever Olympic triple-double. He also didn’t commit a single turnover. It was Jokic’s first-ever Olympic triple-double and the fifth time a player has accomplished the feat.
Serbia, which never trailed in the contest, took control early. They scored nine of the game’s first 12 points and finished the opening period with a 30-21 lead. Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Vasilije Micic combined for 19 of the Serbs’ points in the first period.
Serbia’s interior defense allowed it to maintain its distance from Germany throughout the remainder of the game. Serbia forced Germany to take 34 3-pointers, including 20 in the open half, and while the Germans made 13 3-pointers, they only made 48.1% of their 2-point field goals.
Meanwhile, Serbia scored 54.1% on their 2-point tries and shot 50% from the field in the game. Serbia outscored 38-30 in paint points. However, the most glaring difference in the game was Serbia’s starters outscoring the German starting unit 64-45.
Serbia Earns Another Medal
“It’s a huge success winning the bronze medal at the Olympics, Bogdanovic said.”Of course there’s some sadness after that game against the USA, but we cannot go backwards. We can only be proud of what we have achieved today. It was a very difficult game, waking up at 7am and to come here at 11 to play and compete, I’m so proud of this achievement.”
Micic matched Jokic’s total of 19 points, his highest scoring output of the tournament, on 5 of 10 shooting. Bogdanovic added 16 points, while three others also hit double figures.
Serbia’s victory over Germany was its second Olympic medal and sixth overall in major competitions since 2007. While Serbia has not won any golds during this stretch, it has four Silver medals and eight final four appearances.
Germany, which defeated Serbia in the 2023 FIBA World Cup final, is still looking for its first Olympic medal. However, the Germans did record their best-ever Olympic finish and won a national team record four games. It was also the first time that Germany won multiple games in an Olympic event since 1992.
“Everybody is obviously heartbroken, Germany guard Dennis Schroder said. “First and foremost we gotta thank coach (Gordon Herbert) for everything he’s done for the German Basketball Federation, for the national team, he brought something, the culture, the enjoyment, the environment we had in the locker room – he created that. He started it three years ago.”
Herbert has decided to leave the German national team and take over as head coach at Bayern Munich. Herbert was named head coach on September 21, 2021, and led the Germans to a 30-11 record, including qualifying games. Germany also took the bronze medal in the 2022 EuroBaskets.
Other Notes
Jokic joins Russian Sasha Belov (1976), LeBron James (2012 and 2024), and Luka Doncic as players who have posted a triple-double. But Jokic and James (11 pts, 14 rebounds, 12 assists vs. Australia in 2012) are the only players with at least 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Jokic is the first player to have at least five double-doubles in a single tournament since 1996.
France became the second host nation to win a medal.
The US now has 17 gold medals, a silver medal, and two bronze medals in 20 Olympic tournaments. The Americans are 149-6 all-time in Olympic play.
Team USA’s 18 triples against France today, the most by any team in a final of an Olympic tournament. It was the Americans’ 10th game with 15+ three-pointers at the Olympics.
Victor Wembanyama and Guershon Yabluse are the first teammates to score 20+ points in the Final since Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro in 2012.
Stephen Curry’s eight three-pointers are the most for any player in the final of an Olympic tournament.
