A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA champion, scored 21 points as the United States won 67-66 on Sunday to win their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball, edging out host France in an unexpectedly close game.
The last time the American women’s team lost at the Olympics was when they didn’t win any gold in 1992. On Sunday, the Americans entered Bercy Arena riding a 60-game winning streak.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Americans were a 15.5-point favorite, despite the gym being packed with cheers of “Allez les bleus.”
In spite of this, the French demonstrated their strength by taking on the United States with such vigor that they almost ended the women’s winning streak. The Americans shot just 17% on 3-point attempts, had trouble controlling the ball, committed 19 turnovers, and were a poor shooting team from beyond the arc.
Just under two minutes remained, Wilson’s clutch jumper gave the U.S. a slim lead after Kahleah Cooper’s fourth-quarter surge finally seemed to give the country an advantage.
However, the French persisted, taking inspiration from the fervent supporters in their hometown.
After Wilson and Kelsey Plum made free throws and Breanna Stewart blocked a last-ditch 3-point attempt by Marine Fauthoux, Gabby Williams, a former Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm forward, made a clutch three to put the French back in the game.
However, a last-second attempt by Williams was insufficient after Cooper made both free throws and France was called for a foul. The basket would not have tied the game as the buzzer sounded because her foot was over the 3-point line.
Williams, who finished first on her team with 19 points, was devastated by the devastating defeat and needed assistance from her teammates to leave the Bercy Arena floor.
Six-time WNBA All-Star Wilson led the U.S. team with a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds, demonstrating her versatility as the team’s anchor.
In a postgame interview, Wilson stated, “Here at USA Basketball, we’ve created an amazing dynasty.” “The best thing about it was that we had faith in one another.”
Diana Taurasi, a WNBA veteran who did not participate in the championship game, has surpassed former American teammate Sue Bird to become the first athlete in Olympic history to earn six gold medals in any team sport.
The gold medal games in the women’s and men’s basketball competitions were played between the same countries for the first time in Olympic history. As they did in the men’s final on Saturday, the French hosts fought back resolutely. Still, Team USA maintained its supremacy in basketball across international borders.