United States’ Stephen Curry (4) celebrates after beating France to win the gold medal during a men’s gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J.
Terrill) PARIS — Steph Curry was thinking about this two years ago, after winning his fourth NBA title with the Golden State Warriors. The only thing left for him to win was Olympic gold. And in the ultimate moment, he made sure that medal would be his.
Team USA is atop the international men’s basketball world once again, after Curry scored 24 points — all on 3-pointers — and led the way to a 98-87 win over France in the final at the Paris Games on Saturday night. It was the fifth consecutive gold medal for the U.S.
and the 17th in 20 all-time appearances for the Americans at the games. “You just stay confident, stay present and don’t get rattled by the moment,” said Curry, who had 17 3-pointers in his last two games, starting with nine against Serbia to get to the gold-medal game. Added Team USA coach Steve Kerr: “Steph earned this.
” Curry made four 3-pointers in the final 2:43, including the one that just sealed the win with 1:19 remaining. It put the U.S.
up 93-84 and he skipped down the court letting out a yell, shaking his jersey so everyone could see the “USA” across the front. If that wasn’t enough, one more followed with about 30 seconds left — with the “go to sleep” move where he puts his hands on the si.