In the women’s basketball final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the USA team faced off against the French team. Ultimately, the USA secured a narrow victory with a score of 67-66, winning by just 1 point. This marked the final gold medal of the Games, bringing the USA’s total gold medal count to 40.
Ranked #1 in the world, the USA women’s basketball team achieved their seventh consecutive Olympic gold and extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 games! The USA team has proven to be highly stable, making it extremely difficult for the French team, even on home soil, to pull off an upset.
In the first quarter, the USA started strong with a 4-0 lead. The French team then scored 5 unanswered points, and both teams struggled with several missed shots from the field. Johannes made a series of successful drives, while Green also added 4 points. At the end of the first quarter, the USA led 15-9 by 6 points.
In the second quarter, Cooper scored on a fast break, and the French team went on a 7-0 run to close the gap to 1 point. Yang made a mid-range jumper, Shelley scored from the free-throw line, and Ayaï hit a fadeaway jumper. Wilson made a jumper, and Foutou’s three-pointer forced a timeout from the USA team. Sarron’s pull-up shot gave the French team a lead, but Collier’s put-back basket tied the game at 25-25 at halftime.
The French team started the third quarter with a 10-0 run, quickly taking a 10-point lead. Plum hit a three-pointer, Wilson scored on a layup, and Plum added another three-pointer. Johannes completed a 2+1 play, Stewart scored despite the defense, and Lakan made a cut to score. Wilson continued to score, and Collier added a couple more layups to reclaim the lead. Johannes hit a step-back three to stop the slump, and Weirdu made both free throws. By the end of the third quarter, the USA was only ahead by 2 points.
In the fourth quarter, Bédien made a mid-range jumper, and the score remained tight. Wilson made a contested shot, and Ayaï scored two free throws. Bédien scored in a mismatch situation, keeping the score close. Cooper scored on a reverse layup, and Williams responded with a flying shot. Wilson’s lateral pull-up kept the USA ahead by a slim margin. Ayaï hit a pull-up jumper to close the gap to 1 point, and the USA called a timeout. Cooper scored on a flying shot, and the USA narrowly defeated the French team.
