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Team USA's women's basketball squad dramatically secured its record-breaking eighth consecutive gold medal during Sunday's 2024 Paris Olympic final, defeating France 67-66. Following its last-second victory, LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson raved about the exciting matchup, praising the Americans for making history.
After falling behind by double digits in the third quarter, Team USA battled back behind superstar center A'ja Wilson's game-highs of 21 points and 13 rebounds. However, the contest came down to the final possession due to American-French star forward Gabby Williams' late-game heroics.
With France trailing 65-61, Williams drilled a pull-up 3-pointer to cut the U.S.'s lead to one point with 4.9 seconds remaining. After American reserve Kahleah Copper converted two free throws on the other end, the French had a chance to force overtime with another 3.
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Williams ultimately banked in a running shot from deep at the buzzer, but was just inside the 3-point line, causing France to come up short.
In addition to Sunday's victory marking Team USA's 61st straight at the Olympics, it was only its third single-digit loss during its 32-year winning streak.
"This women's game was the most exciting gold medal women’s game I've ever seen. What a finish!!," Johnson said on X/Twitter on Sunday. "France gave our women everything they had and should be proud of the way they played, but I'm so happy for Team USA for securing their eighth straight gold medal and remaining undefeated."
With its eighth consecutive gold medal, the women's squad set the record for the longest Olympic gold medal streak in a traditional team sport. It surpassed the U.S. men's basketball squad's streak of seven straight gold medals from 1936 to 1968.
Watch: A'ja Wilson hypes Kelsey Plum dancing to Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' post-Olympic gold
A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart react to Team USA making Olympic history
Following Team USA's historic win over France, A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, the Americans' top Paris Olympic performers, touched on the significance of the accomplishment.
Wilson expressed gratitude to be part of the Olympics' all-time most dominant team. She led the U.S. throughout the tournament, averaging team highs of 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over six outings en route to her second gold medal.
"It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible," Wilson said. "And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed."
Meanwhile, after earning her third gold medal, Stewart, Team USA's second-leading scorer this summer (16.3 ppg over six games), appeared in disbelief.
"Eight straight golds is insane, honestly," Stewart said. "Each one is so different, and so, so special and so, so hard."
The U.S. men's basketball squad also won its gold medal showdown against France 98-87 on Saturday, marking its fifth straight gold medal. This year was the first time in Olympic history that the men's and women's Olympic basketball finals featured the same countries competing for gold.
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