The USA men's basketball team claimed its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal on Saturday, overcoming a resilient French team with a 98-87 victory in a thrilling final at Paris' Bercy Arena. Led by Stephen Curry's 24 points, the Americans managed to secure the win in the final minutes of a closely contested game.

The match was intense from start to finish, with the USA holding a 14-point lead at one point, only to see it dwindle to just three points in the fourth quarter. Despite the pressure, the American team, led by LeBron James, maintained their composure. "We just kept our composure," James said, emphasizing the team's experience in handling tight games throughout the tournament.

Curry's performance in the closing minutes was pivotal, as he drained four crucial three-pointers that ultimately sealed the victory for Team USA. His shooting display left the French team struggling to keep up, despite their valiant efforts.

For the host nation, the loss was a disappointing end to a strong tournament run, which included victories over Canada and Germany. The French fans, who had been incredibly supportive throughout the Olympics, were left in awe and frustration as they watched Curry dominate in the final moments.

The game was competitive from the start, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half. The French briefly took the lead in the second quarter with an 8-0 run, but Devin Booker responded with a three-pointer that put the USA back on top, a lead they would not relinquish.

A highlight for the French came when Guerschon Yabusele delivered a powerful dunk over LeBron James, bringing the crowd to its feet. However, the USA extended their lead to 14 points in the third quarter, driven by the dynamic interplay between James, Curry, and Kevin Durant.

French star Victor Wembanyama had an outstanding game, scoring 26 points and helping France close the gap to six points by the end of the third quarter. Despite their best efforts, the French team couldn't overcome the Americans in the final stretch, with Curry's late-game heroics proving too much to handle.

USA coach Steve Kerr praised the French team's physical play and acknowledged the difficulty of securing the win. "France found something the last couple games... They did a great job in the fourth quarter of putting pressure on us," Kerr said.

In the end, Curry's sharpshooting was the difference. He celebrated the victory with passion, recognizing the significance of the moment in his illustrious career. "This might not come around again," Curry reflected, savoring the golden achievement.

The victory solidified the USA's dominance in Olympic basketball, with Curry, James, and Durant leading a team that will be remembered for its extraordinary talent and resilience.