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The United States survived to win its eighth straight gold medal in women's basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Team USA beat host country France 67-66 in the final Sunday. Gabby Williams nailed a shot at the buzzer but was inside the three-point arc when she released the ball, confining the French to a heartbreaking defeat.
NBC Olympics & Paralympics @NBCOlympicsUNBELIEVABLE ENDING IN PARIS. 😱<br><br>Gabby Williams banked it in at the buzzer but her FOOT WAS ON THE THREE-POINT LINE. TEAM USA WINS BY A SINGLE POINT.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisOlympics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParisOlympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/DJI7YxfVMl">pic.twitter.com/DJI7YxfVMl</a>
Former President Barack Obama lauded Team USA for its achievement:
Barack Obama @BarackObamaWhat a game! Eight Olympic gold medals in a row – congrats to the women's <a href="https://twitter.com/usabasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usabasketball</a> team on an incredible win! <a href="https://t.co/NgKKaWgOHI">https://t.co/NgKKaWgOHI</a>
See AlsoUSA beat France women’s basketball live updatesUSA vs France recap: Finally tested, USA hangs on to win 67-66, take home gold.2024 Paris Olympics: USA Women's Basketball survives thriller vs. France to win eighth straight gold medalHow U.S. women's basketball won eighth straight Olympic gold by a sliver
Kahleah Copper took over late for the U.S. and finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. A'ja Wilson, meanwhile, strengthened her case as the best player in the world by going off for 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The two-time WNBA MVP, who was crowned MVP of the Paris Games, garnered plenty of praise on social media.
Front Office Sports @FOS2024 for A'ja Wilson:<br><br>• Won two ESPYs<br>• Has led WNBA in points<br>• Signed deal with Gatorade<br>• Named All-Star for the 6th time<br>• Unveiled on a cover of NBA 2K25<br>• Announced her own Nike signature shoe<br><br>She just led USA Women's Basketball its 8TH-STRAIGHT OLYMPIC GOLD 🇺🇸🥇 <a href="https://t.co/DOkZRhr0Wf">pic.twitter.com/DOkZRhr0Wf</a>
Fans aren't taking Team USA's historic dominance for granted, either. Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was among those glued to the television in the final moments:
With the win, the United States has reeled off 61 straight victories in the Summer Games, and this is probably the closest it has come to tasting defeat during that stretch.
Team USA led for 23 minutes, but this was far from an emphatic performance. Cheryl Reeve's squad was held to just 25 points at halftime. It shot 2-of-12 on three-pointers and turned the ball over 19 times.
In the end, the U.S. simply had too much talent. No other country in the world can call upon a player as good as Copper, a four-time WNBA All-Star and the 2021 Finals MVP, off the bench to provide a lift when the stars aren't getting the job done.
Wilson provided a legendary soundbite when she called Copper "that b---h" in her postgame interview on the court.
While the gulf between the United States and the rest of the world has clearly closed a bit, Team USA will head into the 2028 Summer Games as the favorite once again.
Fans can assume Diana Taurasi (42), Brittney Griner (33), Alyssa Thomas (32) and perhaps the backcourt tandem of Jewell Loyd (30) and Chelsea Gray (31) could be outside of the national team frame four years from now.
But Reese, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston are among the young stars who will be jostling for a spot during the next Olympic cycle. UConn's Paige Bueckers could be in the mix as well since she will have gained some pro experience by that point.
As Sunday showed, nothing can be assumed for the U.S. Anything short of a ninth straight gold is bound to be considered a disappointment in Los Angeles, though.
