Eight straight gold medals. 61 straight victories by an average margin of 23. Pure dominance.
In the 2024 gold medal game, though, Team USA’s margin of victory was one.
When a team hasn’t lost since 1992, some fans might start taking wins for granted.
As they trailed going into the second half against France – in Paris – all the other wins didn’t matter anymore.
14 first half turnovers (same amount as their entire game vs Australia in the semis) and Gabby Williams (19 points) putting the French squad on her back, will do that.
UNBELIEVABLE ENDING IN PARIS. 😱
Gabby Williams banked it in at the buzzer but her FOOT WAS ON THE THREE-POINT LINE. TEAM USA WINS BY A SINGLE POINT.#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/DJI7YxfVMl
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
In the second half, Olympics MVP A’ja Wilson (21 points, 13 rebounds) and the Mercury’s Kahleah Copper answered the call.
“Kahleah Copper is Kahleah Gold today,” NBC’s Noah Eagle said.
Going into the Team USA’s final pair of games, questions arose about Copper’s lack of playing time, but they didn’t come from her.
While fans may have been concerned, Copper was not.
She continued to be a good teammate and stayed ready for her moment.
Copper got herself going against the Opals, scoring in double-digits for the first time this tournament.
That set the stage for the gold medal game, where she’d really shine.
She put up 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists while playing elite defense and making big plays down the stretch.
With 3.8 seconds to go, who else but Copper was at the line to put the game out of reach.
“Unbelievable experience,” Copper said. “Such a great group. We all sacrificed a lot for a gold medal. What better group to do it with? I’m happy I’m leaving here with a gold medal.”
It's a femininomenon 🥇 pic.twitter.com/sxpBXsgPa5
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
MF Olympic gold medalist. Address me as such.
— Kahleah Copper (@kahleahcopper) August 11, 2024
“Kah, Kah, Kah,” Dawn Staley said. “She got a new nickname, it’s not NorfPhilly, it’s IcePhilly, cause she iced the game.”
“God was working today,” Wilson said. “We just did what we had to do…understood what we had in our locker room and leaning on each other…we believed in each other…sometimes you gotta take the ugly wins, and say that you’re a gold medalist…I’ll take those any day.”
Wilson wrapped up the postgame interview by giving Copper her flowers in a way only she can:
“That b—,” Wilson said, followed by a nod before walking off.
if I send you this it means we’re talking about kahleah copper pic.twitter.com/Y2K7qWpyg7
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) August 11, 2024
Copper helped Diana Taurasi make history with her sixth gold medal – another monumental milestone in an incredible career.
Also, just for the record, Taurasi went 44-0 at the Olympics.
“She’s always been a GOAT,” Sue Bird said. “To have her go out with a gold medal is so special for her…drinks are on her tonight.”
Me: How did it feel to one up your bestie Sue Bird, you have one more gold medal than her now?
Diana Taurasi: Yeah it’s the only reason I came. It’s funny cause we scored the same amount of points today.
💀💀💀
— Lindsay Schnell (@Lindsay_Schnell) August 11, 2024
Celebrating 6️⃣ 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇@DianaTaurasi x 🇺🇸 #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/xgOKJFYwAg
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
The most decorated Olympic basketball player EVER 🐐 pic.twitter.com/oo28Vg8Zhk
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
For Brittney Griner, representing the US again after her wrongful detainment in Russia was a feat of its own.
Now, she’s won a third gold medal for her country.
“It means so much to me,” Griner said. “My family didn’t think I would be here…and then to be here and win a gold for my country…representing when my country fought for me so hard to even be standing here…this gold medal is going to hold a special place.”
Brittney Griner understandably emotional during the Gold Medal ceremony:@Sports360AZ#USABWNT #Olympics #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/FD6vwIfu3j
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) August 11, 2024
US Women’s Basketball’s victory pushed the country’s gold medal count to even with China at 40 and put Team USA’s overall first place total at 126.
The Mercury’s first game back will be Thursday, August 15, at Chicago.
