Stephen Curry’s Olympic golden dagger sealed a thrilling victory for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, as his late-game shooting secured the gold medal against the host nation. In a high-stakes final, Curry’s four critical three-pointers during the closing moments left the French team unable to respond, culminating in a memorable triumph on the global stage.
French Player Recalls Struggling to Contain Curry
French forward Guerschon Yabusele described the difficulty of guarding Curry in those decisive minutes. He admitted that initially, it seemed like Curry’s shots might miss but soon realized the player was unstoppable.
I remember, I felt like every shot he was taking was gonna be short for some reason. But then, when he hit that two with the two defenders, I was like ‘Oh, s—. He’s on,’
Yabusele remembered. As Curry’s rhythm intensified, France tried to counter with urgency.
Let’s just take a timeout or something. Somebody foul him. Let’s just try to figure out something. We got to break his rhythm,
Yabusele urged, though their efforts ultimately failed against Curry’s dominance. He acknowledged,
It’s impossible,
summing up the struggle to halt the American star’s momentum.
Unexpected Crowd Energy Amplifies Team USA’s Momentum
The atmosphere in the stadium played a surprising role in boosting Curry’s performance. Despite the home advantage, the crowd largely supported Team USA, which French players found disorienting. Yabusele noted the shift in fan allegiance, saying,
The whole gym was Team USA. We got to talk about it. It was crazy… It’s the first game we play in Paris that we feel like, ‘Okay, they have more fans than us,’
reflecting on the unusual dynamic. This support energized Curry and his teammates, turning the arena into a hotbed of cheers from American fans.
At the time when Curry was hitting those shots, they were screaming. It was crazy,
Yabusele added, highlighting the electric environment surrounding the final moments.
Team USA’s Historic Gold Medal Victory and Its Significance
Fueled by Curry’s exceptional shooting and the overwhelming crowd support, Team USA triumphed in their quest for Olympic gold on French soil. The victory underscored Curry’s status as a clutch performer in the most critical moments of the sport’s biggest stage. Although France fell short, Yabusele remained proud of the team’s effort, emphasizing the meaningful nature of competing at such a level. This match will be remembered as one of the Olympic basketball’s defining moments, illustrating the high drama and skill that mark the tournament’s finest highlights. Going forward, Curry’s Golden Dagger shot will likely inspire both teammates and opponents, symbolizing the power of perseverance and precision under pressure.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Stephen Curry wear 4?
A. FIBA, the group managing Olympic basketball, used to limit player numbers from 4 to 15 to help game officials. This rule was dropped in 2014, but Team USA still uses it for international matches like the Paris Olympics. This is why Curry chose a number within that range.