On the final day of the Paris Olympics, the U.S. women’s basketball team secured their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
However, the victory was far from a dominant performance.
The U.S. women’s national basketball team defeated host country France 67-66 in a surprisingly close game at Bercy Arena. This victory not only cemented the U.S.’s dominance in basketball but also earned them their 40th gold medal in the Paris Games, tying them with China for the most gold medals at these Olympics. The U.S. leads the overall medal count with 126, while China has 91.
By all accounts, Team USA triumphed at the Paris Olympics.
A’ja Wilson was the game-changer for the U.S., recording 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks. France put up a remarkable fight, tying the Americans 25-25 at halftime and taking an early lead of 35-25 in the third quarter. Considering Team USA had won their previous 60 Olympic games by an average of 30 points, the host country’s performance raised the possibility of a monumental upset.
France came agonizingly close to achieving the improbable.
Wilson dominated the third quarter, securing rebounds and blocking shots to stem France’s momentum. The U.S. edged ahead 45-43 going into the fourth quarter. With just over 5 minutes remaining, France briefly took a 53-51 lead. A free throw by Breanna Stewart put the Americans back in the lead, 56-55, with less than four minutes left. Then, Wilson delivered again, scoring to give the U.S. a 58-55 advantage that they refused to relinquish. A layup by Kahleah Copper extended the American lead to 62-59 with just over a minute to play. Marine Fauthoux attempted a three-pointer to tie the game with 20 seconds left, but Stewart got a piece of the shot, and the Americans held on.
Throughout the Games, Wilson continued to solidify her status as the best women’s basketball player in the world. She is averaging 27.2 points per game in the WNBA for the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces and is on track to become the first player in league history to average 12 rebounds per game (she is currently averaging 11.96 rebounds per game). Entering the Olympic semifinals, she was averaging a remarkable 18.2 points per game. While she missed a few short shots that she normally makes before halftime of the gold medal game, Wilson relentlessly attacked the basket.
The 6’5” left-handed player is a versatile force on the court. She is a smooth dribbler and shooter, a willing passer, and combines her skills with physicality.
This gold medal holds historical significance for U.S. veteran star Diana Taurasi, who secured her sixth Olympic title. Despite battling injuries and limited playing time during these Games, Taurasi became the first Olympic basketball player to win six Olympic gold medals.
Breanna Stewart, the reigning WNBA MVP, has now won three straight Olympic gold medals and can potentially match Taurasi’s record in the future. She celebrated this victory after spending 293 days in 2022 before being released as part of a prisoner swap.
With the Paris Games concluded, attention now shifts back to the WNBA, which is experiencing record attendance this season, fueled in part by an influx of exciting rookie players, notably and . The WNBA season resumes on August 15.
