Late Steph Curry flurry sees U.S. hold off France for Olympics basketball gold

At the Paris Olympics on Saturday, the United States men's basketball team won 98-87 over France to claim their fifth consecutive gold medal.

With the French sporting spotlight focused on the Bercy Arena, the American showmen crushed Gallic hearts, led by Stephen Curry and a pumped-up LeBron James, the "King" donning shiny golden trainers to commemorate the occasion.

"I'm just living in the moment," said 39-year-old James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer. "I’m super humbled that I can still play this game."

"Play it at a high level."

"Play with 11 other great players with a great coaching staff and then and go out and do it for our country."

"It was a great moment."

The outcome was the same as three years ago in the Tokyo Olympic gold medal game, but for the French, this defeat cut a little deeper coming on home turf in front of a captivated nation.

"It's their incredible talent that ended up marking the difference," said France coach Vincent Collet. "It's a final against the Americans, in Paris, you can say it as much as you want, each player has his emotions, we tried to use them but it wasn't possible here."

France will have another chance at basketball glory on Sunday, but the women's team will be even bigger underdogs against the mighty Americans, who have not lost in the Olympics since 1992 and are chasing their eighth straight gold medal.

Just downstream from Notre Dame Cathedral on the banks of the Seine, the French faithful, including President Emmanuel Macron, gathered at the Bercy like pilgrims to Lourdes, believing that anything is possible, as it appeared until the final moments of an enthralling finale.

As one would expect from a gold medal game, there was jaw-dropping skill, raw emotion, tension, and a hint of nastiness to add spice.

James opened the scoring with a thunderous dunk, kicking off a fast-paced game that the Americans controlled thanks to a workmanlike effort that resulted in a 14-point third-quarter lead.

But the United States would need virtually all of that advantage as Les Bleus, fuelled by a rafter-rattling home crowd, battled their way back, cutting the gap to 82-79 with three minutes remaining.

Then, with the audience on its feet and France prepared to perform the unfathomable, Curry, as he had done in a nail-biting semi-final victory against Serbia, came to the rescue for the United States.

With the Dream Team faltering, the U.S. captain drained three long-range three-pointers in the closing two minutes to relieve pressure.

Curry finished with 24 points, including eight three-pointers, while a defiant, scowling James scored 14 points, 10 assists, and six boards.

While the Americans celebrated, there were tears from a shattered French team that Victor Wembanyama said was ready to leave blood on court in their quest for gold.

Wembanyama, the first French player selected first overall in the NBA draft, buried his face and wept before seeking out his mother, who consoled her 7-foot, 3-inch (2.22 metre) son.

The 20-year-old power forward ended with a game-high 26 points, playing with flair and intensity that positioned him as a future leader of the French side.

"I'm proud having done what we've done here in France, in front of our fans," said Wembanyama. "I'm going to let it all soak in and realize what's going on."

"I always try to help my team whenever it's needed. I'm ready to make any sacrifice."

"I'm worried for the opponents in a couple of years."

SportsLigue