The United States was the heavy favorite to take home gold at the 2024 Olympics, and it was able to do so with a 98-87 victory over France in the gold medal match.
It wasn’t an easy finish, though. Despite leading by a whopping 14 points, Team USA found itself with just a three-point lead over the host country with three minutes left in the match. It needed a strong finish to defeat Victor Wembanyama’s team and extend its Olympic gold medal streak to five.
Steph Curry made sure that happened in the final of his first — and potentially last — Olympics.
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Curry scored 12 of the U.S.’s final 16 points to help his team close out the game with a win over France. He made his final four three-point shots to finish the game with a team-high 24 points.
Curry shot just 5 of 20 from three-point range in the U.S. team’s first four games, but he shot 17 of 27 overall in the team’s close wins over Serbia and France. He was the driving force behind those victories, along with LeBron James, and earned legitimate consideration for the tournament’s MVP award after his shooting display.
James was ultimately named the tournament’s MVP, but Curry received plenty of flowers for his performance, including plenty of congratulations from NBA talent who watched him lead the United States over the finish line to win its fifth consecutive men’s Olympic basketball gold medal.
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NBA players react to Stephen Curry’s gold medal game against France
Many All-NBA talents weighed in on Curry’s excellent performance in his first Olympics, but Josh Hart’s social media post perfectly captured how many Americans felt watching Curry’s final plays against France.
“Steph went into God mode,” Hart wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Steph went into God mode
—Josh Hart (@joshhart) August 10, 2024
Also notable was Manu Ginobili’s praise for Curry. Ginobili was part of the Argentine team that upset the United States and won gold at the 2004 Olympics. Curry’s performance ensured that Argentina would remain the last non-American team to win a gold medal in men’s basketball for at least another four years.
Steph is RIDICULOUS!!! ???
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) August 10, 2024
Jalen Brunson, DeMar DeRozan and Donovan Mitchell were among the many NBA stars who praised Curry’s excellent finish. Below are some of the most notable reactions to his 24-point outburst.
Steph is ridiculous
-Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) August 10, 2024
Steph ???
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) August 10, 2024
Chef!!!!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 10, 2024
Put them to sleep!!!
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) August 10, 2024
WE ARE WITNESSING GREATNESS! Wow!
#30— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 10, 2024
Steph is crazy lol
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) August 10, 2024
Steph is the best to ever do something like this??
– Brandin Podziemski (@brandinpodziem2) August 10, 2024
And several athletes from around the sports world, including WNBA MVP favorite A’ja Wilson, also took time to praise Curry’s efforts in the gold medal game.
Steph, whattt!! What madness! ????
– A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) August 10, 2024
That man Steph Curry ???
— Naomi Osaka 大坂なみ (@naomiosaka) August 10, 2024
Nah Steph is ridiculous
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) August 10, 2024
Steph Curry just left Earth… The best shooter of all time
— Frances Tiafoe (@FTiafoe) August 10, 2024
