Paris 2024: USA Women Wins Basketball Gold Against France

The United States narrowly defeated France 67-66, securing an eighth consecutive women’s Olympic basketball gold on Sunday, and continued their 61-game winning streak at the tournament.

A’ja Wilson led the scoring for the U.S. with 21 points, in addition to pulling down 13 rebounds and blocking four shots, contributing to America’s 10th overall gold medal in the sport. The game concluded dramatically as Gabby Williams of France almost forced overtime with a buzzer-beater, but her foot was inside the three-point line, making it a two-point shot instead.

“It’s all a blur right now,” Wilson remarked after the game. “We were resilient and kept pushing when it mattered most.”

Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper each added 12 points from the bench, while Williams was the top scorer for France with 19 points.

This victory set a new Olympic record for the U.S. women, surpassing the men’s basketball team, which had won seven consecutive golds from 1936 to 1968.

“That was an absolutely incredible basketball game,” stated U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve. “It’s an unparalleled feeling coming home with the gold and achieving this as a team.”

Diana Taurasi made history by earning her sixth Olympic gold, the most in Olympic basketball history, surpassing Sue Bird.

The U.S. team enjoyed support from notable spectators including LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, and Derrick White, who had secured the men’s gold against France the day before.

The match started slow, with France managing only nine points in the first quarter, though the U.S. only led by six at the end of the period. The game intensified with Nevada-born Williams, playing for France through her mother, closing the gap early in the second quarter. A long three-pointer by Marine Fauthoux energized the crowd, though the first half ended tied at 25 each.

France briefly pulled ahead in the third quarter with a series of threes, but the U.S. reclaimed the lead 45-43 by the end of the quarter. Despite a challenging first half, Wilson found her stride in the final quarter, but France remained resilient.

In a nerve-wracking finish, Williams’ jumper brought France within one before a driving layup from Copper kept the U.S. ahead. A crucial traveling violation on Wilson gave France a last-minute opportunity, but they couldn’t capitalize. Wilson and Plum’s free throws seemed to seal the deal for the U.S., but Williams’ near-miraculous final shot fell just short, securing the narrow victory for the U.S. team.