Team USA’s fifth-straight gold medal in the Games between powerhouse and Olympic host during a basketball grand slod
The game between powerhouse and Olympic host was a hit at the Olympics with celebrities filling the stands. The U.S. The second gentleman was Doug Emhoff, along with former NBA stars and Olympic gold medal winner Sue Bird.
One day earlier the U.S. men’s team held off France, 98-87 to win its fifth-straight Olympic gold. The men’s team went 6-0 in the Paris Games and won gold.
The crowd in France shouted “allez les bleus” and jeered at NBA playerJoel Embiid, even after he refused to play for the French national team. As they have throughout the Olympics, they booed Embiid every time he touched the ball.
On the basketball court, France leaned on two players: Wembanyama and Yabusele, both of whom played in the NBA. Together, they scored 46 of France’s 87 points.
In that game, Curry’s nine three-point baskets proved to be the difference. He helped to seal the win with four long balls. Four of the 10 U.S. players scored in double digits. Curry ended with 24 points.
The biggest test to Team USA’s streak had come Thursday in the semifinal match against Serbia, who ultimately won the bronze medal. With three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic at the helm, Serbia led from midway through the first quarter until less than three minutes remained in the game.
Team USA’s only loss in Olympic play in twenty years was to France in the group stage. The U.S. brought a number of top athletes to Paris this year, including three NBA players who have been named Most Valuable Player and seven players with Olympic experience.
It is the fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal for Team USA and its 17th in Olympic history. It may be its best yet as international basketball has grown more competitive.
During her medal ceremony after winning the game, which she did for the first time since being freed in a prisoner swap, she said her emotions were all over the place.
Coutinho fouled out and the U.S. had a hard time in the fourth quarterfinal of the MUSIC tournament at the BCS Center
Guard Jackie Young, who has been a key scorer for the U.S team in the quarterfinals and semifinals, fouled out in the fourth quarter. But not before the U.S. rallied with key three-pointers and free throws by Kelsey Plum.
“We had a hard time getting to our identity of being able to play and transition and score,” said U.S. women’s basketball coach Cheryl Reeve. “We were the two best defensive teams in the tournament, and we both showed that. It was ugly, but it was ugly for a reason. Both of us made it hard for each other.
The first half of the game was incredibly disjointed, with the U.S. seeming unable to find any offensive rhythm against a very physical French defense. France took the lead at 25-23 right before the break, but the U.S. came back and tied it before the break.
It was a bit ugly. But no matter what whether it’s good, ugly, whatever we just want to come out on top, and we did that, and we go home with this gold,” Breanna Stewart told reporters afterwards.
