Tokyo Olympics: US men’s basketball team wins 4th straight gold medal
Durant waves the flag Kevin Durant, who led Team USA with 29 points, celebrates after the American squad won its fourth consecutive gold medal in basketball. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press )
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
SAITAMA, Japan — Team USA won its fourth straight gold medal in Olympic competition on Saturday, defeating France 87-82 in the final at the Tokyo Games to avenge a first-round loss.
Led by Kevin Durant, the all-time scorer in Olympics history, the Americans seemingly broke open a close game at the half and took control in the third quarter. Durant, who was held to 10 points the first time the two teams met -- an 83-76 victory for France -- scored 29 points in the gold medal game.
However, the French did not quit, whittling the Team USA lead to three points, 85-82, with 10.2 seconds to play. France was forced to foul with 8.8 seconds to go, and Durant drained both free throws to seal the game.
With the victory, the Americans secured their 16th gold medal in men’s basketball.
“It’s winning time. It’s one game or you go home. It’s no series,” Durant told NBC’s Maria Taylor during his postgame interview. “So I gotta give my all every second I’m out there. I prepare the right way, so I just gotta go out there and trust that work.”
France was trying to win its first gold medal in men’s basketball but instead wound up with its third silver. The French also took silver in 1948 and 2000, The New York Times reported.
Durant led four USA players in double figures. Jayson Tatum scored 19 points, while Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday had 11 points apiece,
Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier led France with 16 points apiece.
France had beaten Team USA in both the 2019 World Cup and two weeks ago to open the Olympics.
On Saturday, Team USA led 44-39 at the half thanks to Durant’s 21 points and took a double-digit lead with 4:23 left in the third quarter, but France narrowed the game to eight entering the fourth quarter.
France edged into the gold medal game with an 90-89 victory against Slovenia.
Olympic men's basketball Kevin Durant, who led Team USA with 29 points, celebrates after the American squad won its fourth consecutive gold medal in basketball. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press )
Olympic basketball France's Evan Fournier far right, takes a shot over Zachary Lavine of the USA during the first half. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)
Olympic men's basketball Team USA coach Gregg Popovich calls out strategy to his squad during the gold medal game. (Eric Gay/Associated Press)
Olympic men's basketball Jayson Tatum (10) shoots over France's Evan Fournier during the gold medal game. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Olympic men's basketball Team USA's Kevin Durant (7) shoots over France's Nando de Colo (12) during the gold medal game. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Olympic men's basketball France's Thomas Heurtelis defended by Team USA's Jrue Holiday during Saturday's gold medal game. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)
Olympic men's basketball France's Nando de Colo (12) delivers a hook shot over Team USA's Bam Adebayo. (Gregory Shamus/Pool Photo via AP)
Olympic men's basketball Damian Lillard (6) of Team USA drives to the basket against France. ( Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
Olympic men's basketball France's Rudy Gobert sits dejectedly after his team came up short in the gold medal game against Team USA. (Swen Pförtner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Olympic men's basketball Kevin Durant right, hugs France's Evan Fournier after the United States took the gold medal. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press )
Olympic men's basketball Draymond Jamal Green celebrates with the American flag after Team USA's 87-82 victory. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)
Olympic men's basketball Kevin Durant, left, and France's Guerschon Yabusele (7) give interviews after the gold medal game. (Eric Gay/Associated Press )