January 21, 2025

Stephen Curry’s remarkable performance in the gold medal game against France during the Paris 2024 Olympics was a defining moment in his career.

Making his first, and possibly last, Olympic appearance, Curry scored 24 points, including 12 in the final 2:47, to lead Team USA to victory. His perfect 4/4 shooting during this critical period was instrumental in securing the win, despite the defensive efforts of France’s seven-foot-four sensation Victor Wembanyama, who led all scorers with 26 points.

Kevin Durant contributed 15 points, solidifying his place as the leading scorer in U.S. Olympic basketball history and becoming the first player to win four gold medals in men’s basketball. LeBron James, already a triple-double machine in the tournament, added 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in a well-rounded performance.

Among the Boston Celtics representatives, Jrue Holiday played a pivotal role, adding six points and four assists in just under 19 minutes. He was also tasked with guarding Wembanyama, a formidable challenge that highlighted his defensive prowess. Holiday’s performance also placed him alongside Scottie Pippen as one of only two players to win both an NBA title and Olympic gold in the same year, twice.

Derrick White did not play in the final game but had participated earlier in the tournament. Jayson Tatum, after coming off the bench, scored only two points but contributed with three rebounds and a steal. Tatum’s highlight came when Curry assisted him on a fast break, leading to a dunk that energized the team.

On the opposing side, former Celtics player Guerschon Yabusele put up 20 points, including an emphatic dunk over LeBron James, while another ex-Celtic, Evan Fournier, added eight points for France. Despite these efforts, France fell short, losing 98-87 to a dominant U.S. team. The victory not only underlined Team USA’s basketball dominance but also raised questions about the future as the sport’s biggest names—James, Durant, and Curry—may not return for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

 

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