The United States men’s basketball team enters Saturday’s Olympic final with a ton of momentum. But its opponent will have the home crowd.
Fresh off a furious fourth-quarter rally in the semifinals against Serbia, the Americans have earned the right to play for their fifth consecutive gold medal. In order to do so, they’ll have to take down host country France with reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama leading the way.
Pressure is on both teams as U.S. star Kevin Durant tries to become the first men’s basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals.
USA basketball take on France in the men’s gold medal game at the Olympics. Steve Kerr’s team can make it five gold medals in a row since Argentina stunned the stars and stripes in Athens 20 years ago.
While Les Bleus are bidding for their first Olympic title behind San Antonio Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama after the hosts upset world champions Germany in the semi-finals.
And the United States suffered a scare and required a late rally from key players Steph Curry and LeBron James to hold off a spirited Serbia side led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
The teams have not played each other in this cycle, but the USA beat Les Bleus 87-82 in the gold medal game in Tokyo three years ago.
