Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have 15 points each, win gold with Team USA

Nothing is easy, and when you get in your own way, it makes it harder. Team USA had its issues on Saturday as they played the host country France in the gold medal game. 17 turnovers almost derailed the Americans, but behind 15 points from Devin Booker, 15 points by Kevin Durant, and 24 electric points from Stephen Curry, the USA won 98-87 to win their fifth consecutive gold medal.

Kevin Durant solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in Olympic history by earning his fourth gold medal, setting a new benchmark for male athletes in the sport. This achievement not only underscored Durant’s consistency and dominance on the global stage but also cemented his place in the annals of basketball history as a true Olympic legend.

Meanwhile, for Devin Booker, the victory marked his second gold medal, a significant milestone in his still-budding international career. Booker’s back-to-back golds highlight his rapid ascent in the sport and his growing importance to Team USA’s success.

Game Flow

First Half

Your starters for the gold medal game? Two members of the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

It didn’t take long for Booker and Durant to make their mark, both hitting three-pointers in the first three minutes. Booker had 7 of Team USA’s first 11 points after a pair of lay-ins as well.

It was a hyped atmosphere as the Americans carried a 20-15 lead into the second quarter, and the French crowd cheered in unison as their team went on a 10-4 run to take a 25-24 lead with 7:10 left in the half. USA was being beaten on the boards, which isn’t surprising considering the size of the French.

A Booker three-point put USA back in front, 29-27.

Shortly thereafter, Devin Booker began to assert himself physically on the court, intensifying the already heated atmosphere. His aggressive play was marked by a hard transition foul, a move that seemed to set the tone for the game’s escalating tension. The foul disrupted the opponent’s fast break and sent a clear message that Booker was ready to engage in the physical battle, adding to the game’s growing chippiness.

Victor Wembanyama and Guerchschon Yabusele were the primary scoring duo for the French, combining for 28 points in the first half on 11-of-20 shooting. Both were relentlessly attacking the interior, an interior vacated by Joel Embiid after a subpar start.

Kevin Durant hit his second three-pointer, and a fastbreak and-one for Devin Booker put his point total at 13 in the first half, which would be a team-high. Book was 5-of-7 from the field.

The Americans took a 49-41 lead into the half.

Second Half

The second half began with a KD jumper, something we’ve grown to love seeing in Phoenix. USA appeared to adjust their game plan, opting to get Embiid involved on the interior and get to the line with more regulairty. The team had just two free throw attempts in the first half compared to 6 for the French.

The third held a steady pace, and the French would night go quietly into the night. A three-pointer by Wemby with 4:10 left in the quarter made it a 9-point lead. It was the 20th point for Wembanyama.

A late surge by the French team to close out the quarter dramatically shifted the momentum. What was once a comfortable 14-point lead for Team USA quickly evaporated as France capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes. Team USA struggled with ball security, committing seven turnovers in the period, which fueled France’s comeback. By the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard reflected the mounting pressure on the Americans: France 25, USA 23, with the lead now precariously reduced to just 6 points.

USA up 72-66 after three.

As the fourth quarter began, the intensity in the arena was palpable. The atmosphere crackled with energy, as banners and flags waved fervently in the stands, and the chants from the crowd grew louder, resonating through the stadium like a battle cry. France, sensing a golden opportunity to pull off a major upset, played with renewed vigor. The tension was thick, with every possession carrying the weight of the game’s outcome.

The US went back up by 11 points, and it was Devin Booker doing all of the little things to help the team. Offensive rebounds, passing around the perimeter, keeping the ball moving.

But with 4:46 left, it was a precarious 8-point lead as Team USA kept turning the ball over. France cut it to within 3 with 3:00 left.

A KD deletion on Yabusele was a big moment in the game, as Steph Curry hit a key three-pointer on the other end as a result. A pair of Durant free throws put Team USA back up 8 with 2:22 left in the game.

A flurry of Curry three-pointers late put the French team away, as he went nuclear in the final two minutes. Four made thee pointers put them to sleep, and Curry knew it.

It’s been fun watching the USA Showcases and 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. Generally, this time of year is the quiet period in the NBA, which it has been. But watching Team USA, especially when two members of the Suns are rostered, makes it more engaging.

What will the outcome be for the 2024-25 NBA season? That chapter has yet to be written, but coming out of Paris are good vibes. What the front office has done with the roster, also has good vibes.

We’ll continue to get ready for the season, but now we truly enter the void vortex...