Key Takeaways
- Team USA secured their 8th consecutive Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball.
- A’ja Wilson led the charge with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds.
- France pushed the Americans to the brink, losing by just one point (67-66).
- The game was marked by intense defense and low shooting percentages from both teams.
USA Women’s Basketball Clinches Gold in Nail-Biting Final Against France
The United States women’s basketball team continued their Olympic dominance, securing their eighth straight gold medal in a thrilling 67-66 victory over France at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The closely contested match showcased the resilience and skill of both teams, with the host nation pushing the Americans to their limits.
Game Flow: A Battle of Defenses
The gold medal game began as a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to find their offensive rhythm. The first quarter ended with Team USA holding a slim 15-9 lead, largely due to their success at the free-throw line.
France’s tenacious defense continued to disrupt the American offense in the second quarter, forcing 11 turnovers in the first 15 minutes of play. Despite their defensive prowess, the French team’s shooting woes kept them from capitalizing fully on these opportunities. The half ended in a 25-25 tie, setting the stage for an intense second half.
Third Quarter Surge and Final Frame Drama
France came out strong after halftime, going on an 8-0 run to take a commanding lead. However, Team USA, led by A’ja Wilson and timely contributions from Kelsey Plum, managed to regain control. The Americans ended the third quarter with a narrow 45-43 advantage.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to pull away decisively. Crucial plays by Kahleah Copper and A’ja Wilson in the closing minutes helped secure the victory for Team USA, despite a last-second shot by France’s Gabby Williams that brought the final margin to just one point.
Standout Performances
A’ja Wilson: The tournament MVP delivered when it mattered most, recording a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, along with 4 crucial blocks.
Kelsey Plum: Provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, including two important three-pointers in the third quarter.
Gabby Williams: Led France with an impressive all-around game, scoring 19 points and contributing 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Player Stats and Box Scores for the Team USA vs France Women’s Basketball Game at the 2024 Paris Olympics:
Team USA Player Stats For Olympics Gold Medal
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3FG | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A’ja Wilson | 21 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6/14 | 0/0 | 3 |
| Kelsey Plum | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 2/5 | 2 |
| Kahleah Copper | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3/8 | 0/3 | 0 |
| Breanna Stewart | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2/8 | 0/2 | 2 |
| Napheesa Collier | 7 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/7 | 0/1 | 2 |
| Brittney Griner | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2/3 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Jackie Young | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1/7 | 0/1 | 3 |
| Alyssa Thomas | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 3 |
| Jewell Loyd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Sabrina Ionescu | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 1 |
| Chelsea Gray | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0/1 | 0/0 | 3 |
| Diana Taurasi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 |
France Player Stats For Olympics Silver Medal
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3FG | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gabby Williams | 19 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7/16 | 3/6 | 2 |
| Marine Johannes | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3/13 | 1/8 | 3 |
| Valeriane Ayayi | 9 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3/9 | 1/5 | 1 |
| Marine Fauthoux | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/8 | 2/6 | 3 |
| Marieme Badiane | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2/5 | 0/0 | 1 |
| Leila Lacan | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3/6 | 0/2 | 1 |
| Alexia Chery | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2/6 | 0/3 | 0 |
| Janelle Salaun | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1/4 | 0/2 | 0 |
| Sarah Michel Boury | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Iliana Rupert | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/4 | 0/4 | 2 |
| Dominique Malonga | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0/2 | 0/0 | 0 |
| Romane Bernies | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Statistical Breakdown
Team USA:
- Field Goal Percentage: 34% (19/56)
- Three-Point Percentage: 15% (2/12)
- Free Throw Percentage: 87% (27/31)
- Rebounds: 44
- Assists: 18
- Turnovers: 19
France:
- Field Goal Percentage: 32% (23/73)
- Three-Point Percentage: 19% (7/36)
- Free Throw Percentage: 87% (13/15)
- Rebounds: 34
- Assists: 12
- Turnovers: 13
Tactical Analysis
The game was characterized by intense defensive pressure from both sides, resulting in low shooting percentages and numerous turnovers. France’s strategy of disrupting Team USA’s offensive flow proved effective, forcing the Americans out of their comfort zone.
Team USA’s ability to get to the free-throw line (31 attempts compared to France’s 15) proved to be a crucial factor in their victory. Additionally, the Americans’ superior rebounding (44 to 34) allowed them to control possession and limit France’s second-chance opportunities.
Historical Context
This victory marks Team USA’s eighth consecutive gold medal in women’s basketball, a streak that began in 1996. The close nature of the game, however, suggests that the gap between the United States and other top basketball nations may be narrowing.
As women’s basketball continues to grow globally, this tightly contested final may signal increased competitiveness in future Olympic tournaments. For now, Team USA remains at the pinnacle of the sport, but their challengers are clearly closing the gap.
The 2024 Paris Olympics women’s basketball final will be remembered as a testament to the skill, determination, and competitive spirit of both teams, providing a thrilling conclusion to the tournament and setting the stage for exciting developments in the sport’s future.
