Team USA defeats France by a score of 87-82 to win their fourth straight Olympic gold medal. This was a rematch of each team’s Olympic opener which ended in a stunning loss for the U.S. The Americans were looking to avenge their loss and Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum were the key differences in doing so.
The two all-star forwards got it done on both ends of the floor in a hard fought game. Durant led all scorers with 29 points and Tatum added 19 of his own. Things were never easy for team USA who struggled to get that one final basket to put France away for good. If not for some timely plays by the all-star duo, USA might’ve left Tokyo with a silver medal.
Despite going scoreless for almost the entire 4th quarter, Durant knocked down two clutch free throws to ice the game for the U.S. The Nets superstar finishes this Olympics as a 3-time gold medalist and the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men’s olympic history by a wide margin.
The big stage of the Olympic final did not phase Jayson Tatum. The Celtics superstar was asked after the game what his mindset was going into the gold medal game.
“Do whatever it takes, it’s win or go home,” Tatum said.
Tatum started the game aggressive and was finding his spots early on. He knocked down three triples, including a massive dagger halfway through the fourth. He also cleaned up the boards for team USA with a team-high, seven rebounds.
JT finishes his first Olympic games with a solid performance and a gold medal. Celtics fans are hopeful the time he spent in Tokyo with new head coach, Ime Udoka, will translate to quick success for the upcoming season.
(Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)