The Dream Team, led by the legendary LeBron James, had the initiative at all times and slowly but surely pulled away at the Bercy Arena until the end of the third period when France made serious attempts to try to catch up.
The end was insanely exciting when Victor Vembanyama made it 79-82 and there was only a three point difference. The three-point king Stephen Curry then responded by making an important 85-79 for the USA and he continued to hysterically stop threes and almost single-handedly win the game. He put four threes in 2.12 at the end.
Olympics in Paris 2024
Today’s Olympic highlights 11 August
Åhman/Hellvig won Olympic gold in beach volleyball
Despite the fact that the beach volleyball final was going on at the same time, IOC chief Thomas Bach chose to go to basketball.
James was in a game mood and showed the way as he raced down the court like an unstoppable express train and put in the points, then showed offensive body language to the bench who responded with the same gesture. It was about igniting the team against the fanatically supportive home crowd.
When James hung in the air and dunked in a deuce for 82-72, a huge roar was heard throughout the hall.
Silver tears for Wembanyama
James also worked with the offense and looked for rebounds, made a solid effort.
France’s super talent Victor Wembanyama, doing his rookie season in San Antonio, got to experience the magic of playing an Olympic final on home soil with the huge atmosphere that made the arena boil.
The 20-year-old was the top scorer with 26 but cried and hid his face in a towel.