With gold and a winning streak on the line, it looked like Team France was about to cause the biggest upset of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Instead, it was Kahleah Copper, coming off the bench for Team USA, who helped seal this game. With layups flying off the backboard, Copper finally beat the cursed rim, silencing the French crowd for a moment. It would be a free throw battle the rest of the way, with the U.S. being called for ticky-tackies and France intentionally doing so.
The biggest problem in this game was that there were only 18 assists in comparison to 19 turnovers. The USA typically thrives off of teamwork, but France's defense made this difficult.
Team USA star off the bench
Copper only had 12 points and five rebounds in this game off the bench. However, these stats don't tell the whole story. It was brick after brick for stars like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Every layup seemed to fly off the board and end up in the hands of France. Copper even struggled, but it was one downhill play that gave some relief to the team. She drove head down into the French defense and kissed it off the backboard and in.
Not only was this a key moment from her, but she also put them up by three when she was fouled in the final seconds. It was a pair of charity stripe points that made you hold your breath, hoping they went in. Immediately, she was back on defense and ready to lock down the gold. Teammate A'ja Wilson described her in two words after the game: "That b***h."
Recognition needs to also be given to Kelsey Plum. She had some tough turnovers, but she hit a dagger three and finished with 12 points as well. She also had a key assist to Copper on the backdoor cut.
A beautiful game from Gabby Williams
Though it was the Americans who came away with it, one has to acknowledge that French star Gabby Williams played with pure heart and hustle. With 19 points she was 7-16 from the field and 3-6 from three. In the last five seconds of the game, she hit a deadly three that brought the game to 65-64. Copper would then make her free throws to bring the U.S. up by three again. With one last burst, Williams got the ball on the other end, and it hit a buzzer-beater. However, it would be a heartbreaking one when the big screen showed her foot was over the three-point line.
Williams is just 27 years old. There will be no doubt that she'll be making an appearance in 2028, hoping to give France another opportunity to win. In truth, France was the better team today.
Their defense was great, and they were knocking down shots, even one from the logo. However, they gave the game away with clear fouls. There were multiple moments where one should have been called, and they managed to get away with it. France needs to learn to hold back a bit and not send players to the line as much.
The streak lives on
Whether they deserved the win or not, the USA brought their winning streak to 61. The average margin of victory for this team is typically 23 points. This shows how well France managed to cover them. It seemed like Team USA found a bit of a cheat code with Brittney Griner, but after a great first quarter, she never saw the court again.
Things didn't get better until Cheryl Reeve put Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum in together to move the ball. There were very interesting choices being made on the bench. It was also another great showing from A'ja Wilson, who scored 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four incredible blocks. Nine of those points came from the free throw line, though, as Wilson struggled under the rim. Her layups just weren't hitting, and the same goes for Breanna Stewart.
In the end, these women pushed themselves to get that win. Wilson, Stewart, Copper, and the rest of the roster took it home for the United States, as was expected. Despite the struggles, when it came time to make the right play, they did exactly that.
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