As they did in Tokyo 2020, the USA and France will battle on Saturday in the Olympic men’s basketball gold medal game on an unforgettable day in Paris.
In perhaps one of the most compelling games of the Games, the United States returned from a 17-point deficit to edge Serbia 95-91.
For more than 35 minutes, Serbia were in front; they had an answer to everything their superstar counterparts threw at them.
But in the end, Steph Curry and LeBron James, aged 36 and 39, respectively, showed why they are still considered the best players in the world today by steering the USA over the line when it mattered.
It had to be seen to be believed as Curry finished with 36 points, including nine three-pointers. James finished with a rare Olympic triple-double of 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
Late in the fourth, Curry gave the USA their first lead since the midway point of the first with a three-pointer and despite Serbian pressure, the United States wouldn’t give their lead away again. Kevin Durant – the all-time USA Basketball top scorer – hit a dagger shot to end it all.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had 20 points for Serbia.
France awaits the U.S. in the Paris 2024 showpiece as they dethroned the world champions Germany 73-69.
The French, though, had to fight back from an early 12-2 setback as Germany laid down their markers in front of a hostile Paris crowd.
There was no panic, though, and France’s break came in the last three minutes of the third quarter and the first three minutes of the fourth. They put together a 10-1 run to take a 58-50 lead.
Germany made it a one-possession game thanks to a Franz Wagner three-pointer with 38.6 seconds left to play.
Still, despite a chance to take advantage, the Germans fluffed their lines, leaving Isaia Cordinier free to ice the game at the line to seal a chance at gold medal glory.
“Not a lot of people still believed in us after the friendlies and the group phase. But we remained confident,” Cordinier said.
“We did the same thing in the semi-final as in the quarter-final and, we did it.
“We have one more game – a final of the Olympics, at home, in front of our families and friends. It’s a special tournament for me.
Guershon Yabusele led the French with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dennis Schroder had 18 for the world champions, who were beaten in a major tournament for the first time in two years.
