LeBron James, Stephen Curry and fellow stars lead U.S. to gold-medal win over France

It’s gotta be the shoes.

With these metallic gold sneakers on, of course LeBron James wasn’t leaving Bercy Arena with anything less than an Olympic crown.

The Lakers superstar won his third Olympic gold medal on Saturday, leading the United States to a 98-87 win over host nation France. The United States has won five consecutive gold medals, with the last two coming over France.

James, who scored 14 points with 10 assists and six rebounds, won his first since 2012. Fellow Lakers star Anthony Davis anchored the defense against French star Victor Wembanyama with eight points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Twelve years ago, the future Lakers teammates won their first gold medal together.

Twelve years ago, the future Lakers teammates won their first gold medal together in London. In 2008, James found redemption with his first gold medal, making up for a bronze medal in 2004. When asked how the victory in Paris, compared to the others, a teammate walking behind him gave him an assist “It’s the best one.”

James agreed: “Because it’s the one that’s right now.”

“We got our moment,” James continued. “This is what we wanted.”

The U.S. players locked arms as they ascended to the top of the Olympic podium in unison. James bowed his head to receive his gold medal and then put an imaginary crown on his head. When the team posed together at midcourt, it was James sitting front and center, biting his medal.

It was the first Olympic medal ceremony for Stephen Curry, who had 24 points and put an emphatic exclamation point on his first — and likely last — Olympic experience. He hit four three-pointers in the last 2:47 to seal the win, fending off a late French comeback attempt. Kevin Durant, who scored 15 points, called Curry’s night an “out-of-body performance.” After draining his third as the shot clock expired, U.S. teammates mimicked Curry’s famous “night-night” celebration, holding their hands together as if they were sleeping on a pillow.

“U.S. is still the best team in the world,” French forward Nicolas Batum said. “But we’re getting closer and closer.”

James returned to the Olympics after a 12-year break at the request of Grant Hill, who made his pitch as the managing director of USA men’s basketball. With the game globalizing more than ever, the United States needed to bring its best players to Paris to reassert its dominance after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The United States overwhelmed France with its relentless NBA starpower. France hoped to just survive off the grit and power of Wembanyama (26 points, seven rebounds) and Guerschol Yabusele (20 points).

American Stephen Curry celebrates hitting a three pointer against France by mimicking going to sleep late in the fourth quarter at the Paris Olympics Saturday.

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

Yabusele, a stalky power forward and a son of a professional Congolese boxer, tried to match every American haymaker with a punch of his own.

James swatted one of his shots and plowed over him with a spin move in the lane. Yabusele answered by dunking on the Lakers superstar, drawing a foul and finishing the three-point play. Trailing by six with 3:32 remaining, Yabusele was fouled on a drive to the basket. Instead of falling to the ground, he steadied himself, wiped his chin and shouted to the fans waving French flags right behind the basket. They all rose to their feet and showered the 2016 Boston Celtics first-round draft pick with chants of “M-V-P.”

Fans were packed to the rafters for every basketball game since the sport took over Bercy Arena for the knockout stages. Arena staff laid French flags in every seat in the section behind one of the baskets. Fans banged a drum, chanted throughout the game and waved giant posters of players’ heads.

Although they were finally quieted, many French fans remained in their seats to watch their team claim its fourth Olympic silver medal during the medal ceremony. France has never won an Olympic basketball gold medal, but players still heard their national anthem as fans sang it together.

With glassy eyes, French players saluted the crowd as they retreated to the locker room. Wembanyama buried his head in his mother’s shoulder as she reached over the front-row railing to pull her son in a long embrace.

James embraced his family as well. He danced with his 9-year-old daughter, Zhuri, courtside. He wrapped former NBA star Carmelo Anthony in a tight hug. James won his last Olympic medal with Anthony on the court next to him.

The 39-year-old never imagined that he would play on this stage in Paris. Even with Los Angeles hosting next, he said he doesn’t see himself playing again. As his final salute, he pulled on the corners of his jersey as he walked off the court and raised the three letters across his chest to the crowd.