The United States men's basketball team has emerged victorious once again, clinching their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal after defeating a resilient French side in a thrilling contest. Despite facing an outstanding performance by the 20-year-old French phenom, Victor Wembanyama, the American squad prevailed with a 98-87 win on Saturday night at the Bercy Arena in Paris.

Having narrowly escaped a tense semi-final against Serbia just two days prior, the US team faced a formidable challenge from the French side, who were fueled by a passionate home crowd. Determined to become the first team to win men's basketball gold on home soil since the US in 1996, France put up a fierce fight throughout the game.

Leading the charge for the American team was Stephen Curry, who finished with a team-high 24 points, including four crucial three-pointers in the final 2:47 of the game. Curry's shooting prowess proved to be the difference-maker, as he helped his team break free from the relentless French opposition. Reflecting on his performance, Curry acknowledged his initial struggles but noted how he found his rhythm and delivered an avalanche of points when it mattered most.

The victory not only solidifies the United States' dominance in Olympic basketball but also enhances their already impressive all-time record of 143-5 in the Games. Since their disappointing performance at the Athens Olympics in 2004, the US team has been nearly unbeatable, boasting a remarkable record of 36-1.

Kevin Durant, who made his first start in the Olympic tournament, joined an elite group as he became the first male athlete to win four gold medals in any team sport. Durant contributed 15 points to the American victory, while Devin Booker and LeBron James also made notable contributions with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

However, it was Curry's long-range heroics that left a lasting impression on the star-studded audience at the Bercy Arena. Among the notable attendees were Thierry Henry, Scottie Pippen, Megan Rapinoe, Gianni Infantino, and Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. Curry, a four-time NBA champion, made his Olympic debut this year and has emerged as a crucial player for the US team, particularly in their remarkable semi-final comeback.

With this win, the United States further solidifies their status as the dominant force in men's Olympic basketball, having clinched eight of the last nine Olympic titles and 17 of 21 overall. While the French team displayed excellent performance throughout the tournament, including a previous victory against the US, they were once again relegated to a second-place finish. Les Bleus were hoping for their first Olympic gold but had to settle for silver, repeating their fate from the 1948, 2000, and 2020 Olympics.

Looking ahead, France remains optimistic about their future prospects in international basketball. With rising stars like Victor Wembanyama alongside top draft picks Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, and projected top-five pick Nolan Traore, they aim to achieve greater success at the upcoming 2027 Fiba World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

For now, the focus shifts to the women's basketball gold medal game, where the United States will once again face off against France on Sunday afternoon. With an impressive 60-game Olympic win streak and seven consecutive gold medals, the American team will enter the game as heavy favorites. Will France be able to upset the US in the women's tournament and claim a historic win? Basketball fans eagerly await the thrilling showdown between these two formidable teams.