A 7-foot-2-inch (2.18 m), 260-pound (120 kg) center, Mutombo moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at age 21 to play college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas. In 1991, the Denver Nuggets chose Mutombo with the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft. During his NBA career, he played for six teams. Mutombo played in the NBA Finals for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 and for the New Jersey Nets in 2003. He received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times, tied with Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert for the most awards. Mutombo led the NBA in blocked shots three times, led the league in rebounds twice, and was named to eight All-Star teams. On January 10, 2007, Mutombo reached second place on the list of NBA career leaders in blocked shots.
At the conclusion of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo announced his retirement. His number 55 jersey has been retired by both the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks. Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2015.
Posts published in “Basketball”
NBA announced the death of one of the greatest big man in the NBA. He known for wagging his right index finger whenever he blocks a shot.
Drafted by the Denver Nuggets, Mutombo was the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft. After 6 season with the Nuggets, he signed a 5-year, $55 million free agent contract with the Atlanta Hawks, then one-year with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, he reached the NBA Finals while playing for both teams. In October 2003, he signed a two-year deal with the New York Knicks, then in 2004 the Knicks traded him to the Chicago Bulls, but before the start of the season the Bulls traded Mutombo to the Houston Rockets where he played for 5-years and retired in 2009 as Rockets.
Messages from the NBA and the teams that Mutombo played with;
https://t.co/IxwdTjX4EO pic.twitter.com/x6rNgWzUuG
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
We are deeply saddened by the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.
Dikembe was a proud and honorable man, who lived up to the definition of a word that became synonymous with his name – humanitarian. He used his many gifts and his platform to improve the lives of everyone he… pic.twitter.com/zsLS4AihJ4
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 30, 2024
Today we mourn the loss of a true ambassador of our game, Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe spent 18 seasons in the NBA, including his final five as a Houston Rocket. His fun-loving personality and trademark finger-wagging endeared him to fans around the world, but Dikembe’s… pic.twitter.com/BfmKNGLGi3
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 30, 2024
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) September 30, 2024
We share our condolences with his wife, Rose, the entire Mutombo family, and their loved ones. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3j7M1ONqxJ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 30, 2024
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 30, 2024
Shams Charania via X (@ShamsCharania);
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has been awarded the Defensive Player of the Year, sources confirm.
Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson received MVP and Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington won Most Improved Player.
Except for Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson MVP award, WNBA has yet to officially announce this years 2024 WNBA Individual Awards.
It would have been great if A’ja Wilson was also named as the DPOY, since Wilson lead the league in blocks, and top 5 in steal and rebounds.
As for the Rookie of the Year, with all other rookies sideline by the end of the regular season, Caitlin Clark will be the runaway winner for ROY, I was thinking that Cameron Brink could at least make it to a interesting race at the start of the season.
WNBA;
The WNBA delivered its most-watched regular season in 24 years, finished with its highest attendance in 22 years and set records for digital consumption and merchandise sales in 2024.
The Caitlin Clark effect!!!
Dave Campbell & Tim Reynolds | The Associated Press via NBA;
Per Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, New York is adding All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, sending back All-Star forward Julius Randle to the Timberwolves, along with guard Donte DiVincenzo and a protected first-round pick (via Detroit).
The Hornets soon emerged as a reportedly crucial third team in the deal, taking on DaQuan Jeffries and draft compensation to help facilitate considering the cap implications that come into play with a pair of “apron” teams.
A blockbuster trade but it appears that this is more on the salary cap situation of than anything else.
Shams Charania, reporting for The Athletics/NYTimes;
Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose is retiring, the 35-year-old guard told The Athletic. He made his announcement official Thursday morning via social media and by placing ads in local newspapers of the six NBA cities he played for: Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Detroit and Memphis.
Derrick Rose, like Grant Hill, is one of those players that we did not get to see their full potential and their career are cut short because of injury.
Connecticut Sun sweeps Indiana Fever, will face Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Semifinals (87 – 81)
ESPN;
Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun were happy to finally close out an opening round series at home in two games.
Thomas had 19 points and 13 assists to help the Sun sweep Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs with an 87-81 win Wednesday night.
Compared to Game 1, Indiana’s “Big 3” played a much better game; Caitlin Clark scored 25 points and 9 assists, Aliyah Boston had 16 points and 19 rebounds, while Kelsey Mitchell added had 17 points but committed 5 turnovers. But it was Sun’s veteran players who carried the team with five players scoring in double digits points.
Connecticut Sun will now face Minnesota Lynx, who swept the Phoenix Mercury, this Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Target Center, Minneapolis.
ESPN News Services;
They moved one step closer as Sabrina Ionescu tied a franchise playoff record with 36 points to help the Liberty beat the Atlanta Dream 91-82 on Tuesday night and advance to the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.
The Liberty shouldn’t have any problem advancing to the 2nd round, since the Dream barely qualified for the playoffs. They need to move past the Las Vegas Aces to advance to the 2024 WNBA Finals.
The first game of the 2nd round of the WNBA Playoffs will on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
Indiana Fever, WNBA;
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was unanimously named the 2024 Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year, it was announced today. This recognition follows Clark’s achievement as a four-time WNBA Rookie of the Month, three-time WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week and WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month in August. Clark joins Aliyah Boston as the only Fever players to earn AP Rookie of the Year.
Clark was also named to the AP All-WNBA First Team with Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas and A’ja Wilson. AP All-Rookie Team with Kamilla Cardoso, Leonie Fiebich, Rickea Jackson and Angel Reese.
Now that the 40 games WNBA regular season is done, we now have the complete picture of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs.
- New York Liberty (1st) vs Atlanta Dream (8th)
- Minnesota Lynx (2nd) vs Phoenix Mercury (7th)
- Connecticut Sun (3rd) vs Indiana Fever (6th)
- Las Vegas Aces (4th) vs Seattle Storm (5th)
This is the mechanics of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs;
Top eight teams with the highest winning percentage (regardless of conference) will qualify for playoffs. Bracket is NOT divided by East/West. First Rounds will be 2-1 (first two games hosted by the higher seed). Semi-Finals and Finals will be 2-2-1 (higher seed hosting the first two games and final game, if necessary).
First Rounds will start this Sunday, September 22, 2024.
WNBA;
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that it has awarded Portland, Oregon, the league’s 15th franchise. The Portland team, set to begin play in the 2026 season, will be owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. Portland is the third expansion franchise awarded by the WNBA during this round of expansion, following the Golden State Valkyries and a Toronto franchise, bringing the league from 12 to 15 teams.
This is the best time to have your own WNBA team, since the value of your team will surely increase with the “Caitlin Clark effect” and the influx of new players from the college rank like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins.
I predict that before the next media deal, after 11 years, the league will add 5 more teams, making it to a total of 20 WNBA teams and the league will have at least 50 to 60 games per season.
Keith Jenkins, writing for ESPN;
Here’s a look at Clark’s professional accolades:
▪︎ WNBA rookie single-season scoring record.
▪︎ WNBA single-season record for assists.
▪︎ Set franchise record for most double-doubles in a season with Indiana Fever.
▪︎ Set franchise record for most three-pointers in a season with Indiana Fever.
▪︎ First WNBA rookie to record two triple-doubles.
▪︎ WNBA single-season rookie record for three-pointers.
▪︎ WNBA single-season rookie record for assists.
▪︎ WNBA single-season turnover record.
▪︎ Most assists by a rookie in WNBA All-Star Game history (10).
▪︎ WNBA Rookie of the Month for July.
▪︎ WNBA single-game record for assists (19).
▪︎ First triple-double by a rookie in WNBA history and first triple-double in Fever history.
▪︎ Ninth rookie to be named a WNBA All-Star starter.
▪︎ Only player with more than 700,000 votes for the WNBA All-Star Game.
▪︎ Fastest player to reach 350 points and 150 assists to start a WNBA season (regardless of years in the league).
▪︎ Twenty points, three assists, two steals and 10 turnovers in her WNBA debut on May 14.
▪︎ No. 1 overall pick by Indiana Fever in 2024 WNBA draft on April 15.
Calling Caitlin Clark’s rookie season “LEGENDARY” would be an understatement.
Doric Sam, writing for Bleacher Report;
After setting the WNBA single-season scoring record earlier this week, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson added another unique distinction on Sunday.
Wilson became the first player in league history to ever score 1,000 points in a season during Sunday’s 84-71 win against the Connecticut Sun.
For context, this is the 2nd year that the WNBA is playing a 40 games per season. In 2022, the number of games was 36. The WNBA single-season scoring record last year was set by Jewel Lloyd, who scored 939 points, playing 38 games. Wilson set the 1,000 Points in 1 Season playing just 37 games.
Rookie star Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA single-season assist record Friday night in the Indiana Fever’s 78-74 loss to the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
Clark recorded her 317th assist of the season at the 4:55 mark of the second quarter when Kelsey Mitchell took her pass and scored on a drive. The rookie passed Alyssa Thomas’ 316 dimes from last season. Clark finished the game with nine assists, giving her 321 assists on the season.
This was in a loss against the Las Vegas Aces, where Aces’ A’ja Wilson set a record for points scored in a season.
Then after 24 hours.
Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior Writer;
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark recalls Seimone Augustus being the first WNBA player she ever met when she went to a Minnesota Lynx game as a child.
On Sunday, Clark set the WNBA rookie season scoring record, previously held by Augustus, and called it a full-circle moment.
“I got my picture with her on my dad’s little phone — it was maybe like a BlackBerry back in the day,” Clark said after Indiana’s 110-109 win over Dallas. “I vividly remember it. I was always a fan of her game and the way she could shoot the ball.”
Clark now has 761 points in 39 games, so there is the caveat that Augustus — who will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in October — set her mark of 744 points in 2006, when the WNBA season was 34 games.
For context, Clark set the WNBA rookie season scoring record, while Seimone Augustus set the rookie scoring record when WNBA season was only 34 games a season.
ESPN WNBA;
A’ja Wilson became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 86-75 on Wednesday night for their 14th straight win in the series.
Wilson passed Jewell Loyd’s total of 939 points on a jumper from the free-throw line with 26.4 seconds left before halftime. Wilson needed just 35 games to top last year’s record by Loyd, who needed 38 games. Wilson’s previous high was 912 points, set in 40 games last season.
She finished the game with 956 points this season and could potentially be the first player in league history to reach 1,000 in a year.
This is a good measuring stick for the Fever to gauge on how they fare against the best team and facing the best player in the WNBA. Add the shooting woes of Caitlin Clark and foul trouble on Aliyah Boston. Kelsey Mitchell, as always kept them in the game but not enough for them to overcome the 12-point deficit.
Las Vegas Aces is the only team that the Indiana Fever have not beat this season and they will have another chance this Saturday, Sept 14th.
Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior Writer;
The Indiana Fever had their biggest comeback win of the WNBA season Sunday, rallying from a 16-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Dream 104-100 in overtime at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
One heck of a game by Indiana Fever, erasing a 16-point deficit and winning in OT. A monster game from Indiana Fever’s Big 3; Caitlin Clark had 26 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds, her fifth 25 and 10 game of the season. Aliyah Boston scored a career-high 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and 5 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 21 points.
The scores;
Atlanta Dream 100 – N. Hillmon 5, T. Charles 17, A. Gray 15, J. Canada 17, R. Howard 36, N. Coffey 5, L. Cubaj 2, M. Caldwell 3, H. Jones 0, C. Parker-Tyus DNP, L. Amihere DNP, A. Powers DNP
Indiana Fever 104 – N. Smith 6, A. Boston 30, K. Mitchell 21, L. Hull 12, C. Clark 26, D. Dantas 0, K. Samuelson 0, T. Fagbenle 9, E. Wheeler 0, V. Saxton DNP, K. Wallace DNP, G. Berger DNP
| 1st qtr | 2nd qtr | 3rd qtr | 4th qtr | OT | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlante Dream | 21 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 100 |
| Indiana Fever | 22 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 14 | 104 |
Angel Reese, posted on her @angelreese5 Instagram account;
What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol🥲 Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so. I’m filled with emotions right now that I have a season ending injury, but also filled with so much gratitude for what is next. Although this is God’s timing and not mine, I am finally able to give myself a physical and mental break. “God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.”
You’ll still see me being the biggest cheerleader on the sideline! And Unrivaled league, see you soon!
A not so good news for Chicago Sky fans and fans of Angel Reese. The news comes at a time when Chicago Sky are fighting for the final playoff spot. The Sky have 6 remaining games and are currently 8th in the standings with 12-22 (win-loss), the same with Atlanta Dream and just a game ahead of Washington Mystics (11-23).
Napheesa Collier scored nine of her 26 points in the third quarter, Bridget Carleton made three 3-pointers in the final four minutes and the Minnesota Lynx overcame a 25-point night by Caitlin Clark to snap Indiana’s five-game winning streak with a 99-88 win over the Fever on Friday night.
The Indiana Fever are 7 – 3 in their last 10 games, two of those loses are from Minnesota Lynx. This may very well be a playoff preview between Minnesota Lynx (2nd) and Indiana Fever (6th), that is if the Fever are able to go deep in the post season.
Fever’s “Big Three” had a huge game but not enough to get the win.
Caitlin Clark scored 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and Aliyah Boston scored 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists, while Kelsey Mitchell added 23 points.
June Mar Fajardo has now surpassed Philip Cezar (5,834) for seventh place in the PBA all-time most career total rebounds list
PBA;
TNT shrugged off its manpower problems by stamping its class over hapless Terrafirma, 107-89, Thursday and regaining a share of the Group A lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A monster game for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who was three assists short for a triple-double.
The Scores :
TNT 107 – Hollis-Jefferson 26, Pogoy 14, Erram 14, Aurin 13, Nambatac 10, Castro 10, Khobuntin 7, Exciminiano 7, Heruela 3, Payawal 3, Ebona 0, Vosotros 0.
TERRAFIRMA 89 – Hester 23, Standhardinger 18, Hernandez 13, Ferrer 13, Pringle 12, Hanapi 3, Cahilig 3, Sangalang 2, Ramos 2, Olivario 0, Grospe 0.
QUARTERS: 30-22, 55-49, 76-68, 107-89
ESPN;
Caitlin Clark became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 100 3-pointers in a season and finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her second career triple-double as the playoff-bound Indiana Fever beat the Los Angeles Sparks 93-86 on Wednesday night.
Clark connected on her second 3 of the game and 100th of the season midway through the third quarter and added two more to reach 102 and finish 4 of 10 from long range. The No. 1 overall draft pick is the first rookie with 100 3s.
Their 6 reaming game will be available against top teams and those who are vying for playoff spot. It’ll be interesting how they will matchup against Lynx and Aces, who are the two of the top teams in the league.
WNBA;
Following losses from the Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky on Tuesday night, the Indiana Fever officially clinched a spot in the WNBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2016 regular season.
The 2024 postseason will be the franchise’s 14th playoff appearance as Indiana reached the playoffs 12 consecutive times from 2005-2016 and made its first postseason appearance in 2002. The 2024 WNBA postseason will begin on Sunday, September 22.
How the playoff works in the WNBA?
The top eight teams regardless of conference will qualify for the playoffs and be seeded based on their record. The first playoff round follows a best-of-three format where the teams are seeded based on their regular-season record. The first-round series games will include a 2-1 format in which the higher seed will host Games 1 and 2 and the lower seed will host Game 3 if necessary. The semifinals and WNBA Finals will each feature a best-of-five series following the 2-2-1 format with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5, and the lower-seeded team will host Games 3 and 4 in their respective series.
With their current seeding, the Indiana Fever (6th) will face the Minnesota Lynx (3rd) in the first round of the playoffs. But with seven more games remaining, the Fever could end up higher in the standings.
Greek-Nigerian NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his long-term partner Mariah Riddlesprigger, the mother of his three children, tied the knot in Greece on Sunday according to media reports.
Watch 4+ hours of Steph Curry’s most unforgettable clutch moments, complete with his iconic ‘night-night’ celebration!
Never miss a moment with the latest news, trending stories and highlights to bring you closer to your favorite players and teams.
Stephen Curry is arguably the greatest shooter in all of basketball and even though his not as athletic as his other peers, he’s one of the most exciting player to watch in the basketball court.
To borrow Stephen A. Smith’s line – “Steph Curry is the greatest shooter God has ever created.“
If you’re wonder, what the heck is the “Emirates NBA Cup 2024”? The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 was previously named the NBA In-Season Tournament, which debut last year and LA Lakers are the inaugural champions of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
New name, same goal 🏆
Here's everything you need to know about the #EmiratesNBACup before the schedule release special at 3pm/et on ESPN!
Group play begins November 12… who will win the NBA Cup?
📲 https://t.co/gBNRNeJuei pic.twitter.com/cQAixPRyCB
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2024
Before we can talk about the, let’s talk about the groupings first and below are the groupings for the Emirates NBA Cup 2024.
Western ConferenceGroup A
Group B
Group C
|
Eastern ConferenceGroup A
Group B
Group C
|
Now that we have the groupings out of the way, the schedule for the Emirates NBA Cup 2024 will every Tuesday and Fridays starting this November 12th until December 3rd. The quarter finals will be on the December 11th and 12th, while the Semis will be on December 14th . The Emirates NBA Cup 2024 Finals will be on the 17th of December. Both Semis and the Finals will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. As for the full schedule and who will be playing against who, you can checkout the full schedule published by the NBA.
If you are still clueless as how Emirates NBA Cup 2024 works, then here’s a 2 minute video;
As for the name Emirates NBA Cup 2024, NBA and Emirates, yes the Emirates Airlines based in Dubai, has signed a multiyear global marketing partnership naming Emirates the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA.
US Women’s Basketball Team Narrowly Escapes France for Women’s Basketball Gold at 2024 Paris Olympics (67 – 66)
Image: FIBA
It was a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics medal game, but the US Women’s Basketball team took care of business and claimed the gold medal in the Women’s 5×5 Basketball Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Unlike their male counterparts, the US women needed a bit of luck to secure the gold, as Gabby Williams’ buzzer-beating shot was just inches inside the three-point line, potentially sending the game to overtime.
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
A’ja Wilson led the team with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson also took have the MVP awards for the tournament. Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum contributed 12 points apiece, both going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
THE MVP OF #Paris2024 Women's #Basketball ⭐️
A'ja Wilson, United States of America 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9HN4a7tDWH
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 11, 2024
After clawing back from a 10-point deficit early in the third quarter, France kept the game close. However, Kelsey Plum’s offense and the team’s defense in the fourth quarter created a 3-point lead, ultimately securing the gold medal.
See you LAter, @Olympics.
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x @LA28 pic.twitter.com/PDoXcvDyi8
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
🗣️ Drop the stairs medal flick 🫡🇺🇸 #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/w6Njn99Ngv
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
It's a femininomenon 🥇 pic.twitter.com/sxpBXsgPa5
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
This is your moment
Take a bow, BG 🥇🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tYNzhtdSm4
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
Now vs Then 🥇🥇 @_ajawilson22 pic.twitter.com/voU7my94yG
— Stewie (@breannastewart) August 11, 2024
The most decorated Olympic basketball player EVER 🐐 pic.twitter.com/oo28Vg8Zhk
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
Job Finished.
🇺🇸 #USABWNT
pic.twitter.com/ZID0UIyv0q— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
Gabby Williams led France with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Valeriane Ayayi and Marine Johannes added 9 points each, but no other French player scored more than 8 points. Fast break points (6-15), points in the paint (20-30), and bench points (20-29) were significant factors in France’s defeat.
Game stats;
Just like with the men’s basketball team, the United States and France could become regular rivals in Olympic women’s basketball medal games.
Steph Curry powers Team USA for a Gold Medal Finish Against France (98 – 87)
Image (L-R): Steph Curry, Lebron James and Kevin Durant from FIBA
The USA Men’s Basketball team, led by Steph Curry, has won the Olympic gold medal at the 5×5 Basketball tournament. Curry scored a team-high 24 points, making 8-of-12 shots from the three-point line, and added 5 assists. Teammates Booker and Durant each scored 15 points apiece, while LeBron James contributed 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. James was also awarded the tournament’s MVP.
Steph Curry, are you serious?! pic.twitter.com/ZBJo5COAJq
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) August 10, 2024
STEPH CURRY IS INCREDIBLE! 🗣️
24 PTS / 8 3PM / 5 AST en route to his 1st 🥇#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/HkdZOozJMy
— NBA (@NBA) August 10, 2024
Steph Curry goes OFF in the 4Q to lead USA to 🥇
Curry: 24 PTS, 5 AST, 8 3PM
Durant: 15 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB
Booker: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST
LeBron: 14 PTS, 10 AST, 6 REB#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/0zRDX8GeQO— NBA (@NBA) August 10, 2024
4 years in a row competing against one another for NBA Championships… to now winning 🥇 together 👏
WHAT A TIME! #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/RaIkVM1LzV
— NBA (@NBA) August 10, 2024
The European mind cannot comprehend this 🥇 pic.twitter.com/xZ7vCtzCgY
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 10, 2024
It was a dramatic finish for the Americans, as France mounted a comeback by scoring 7 straight points, cutting the United States’ 14-point lead to a single possession game, thanks to a Wembanyama tip-in. But then Steph Curry showcased his greatness with a dagger three-pointer, defended by two French players. He then celebrated with his trademark “Night night” gesture while returning on defense.
Victor Wembanyama was fantastic in #Paris2024 leading France to 🥈👏
👽 15.8 PPG
👽 9.7 APG
👽 2.0 SPG
👽 1.7 BPG pic.twitter.com/yJ7rJVcuMn— NBA (@NBA) August 10, 2024
Victor Wembanyama led the French team with 26 points but lacked his usual defensive presence compared to the semi-finals against Germany. Guerschon Yabusele added 20 points for France, while no other player scored more than 9 points. Considering the number of young French players entering the NBA, future Olympic medal games could become regular showdowns between the USA, France, and Serbia.
Steph Curry lead Team USA in a come-from-behind win over Serbia, advances to the Finals of the Men’s Olympic Basketball (95-91)
Image: FIBA
A Steph Curry exploding for 36 points, Lebron James triple-double and a 19-point game from Joel Embiid proved too much for Serbia to overcome, despite leading the game for the first three quarters (76-63). At one point, Serbia was ahead by as much as 17 points and seemed to be hitting every shot, especially from the 3-point line.
Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Serbian national team with 20 points, while Nikola Jokic added 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists. Aleksa Avramovic scored 15 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. However, as a team, they shot 38.5% from the 3-point line, especially in the final period when their shots started to miss.
36 points.
8 rebounds.
12-19 shooting.
9-14 from three.Steph's #USABMNT Moment. https://t.co/BOCsmrO9Ob pic.twitter.com/NVOdfb2up9
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2024
LeBron James wouldn’t be denied in the clutch of USA’s 17-point comeback win 🇺🇸
👑 16 PTS
👑 12 REB
👑 10 AST— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2024
As much offensive firepower as Team USA possessed, it was their defense that secured the win. Trailing by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, Team USA clamped down on Serbia, allowing just 15 points in the quarter after surrendering an average of 25.33 points in the first three quarters. Embiid and James made several stops that led to 9 fast-break points, and it was the bench players who helped turn the game around for the Americans.
19 PTS on 8-11 shooting.
7 PTS in the 4Q to spark USA comeback.HUGE #Paris2024 Semifinals moment for Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/a33VhJS87n
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2024
Scoring the FINAL 13 POINTS for USA to complete their #Paris2024 Semifinals comeback…
Steph. Bron. KD. pic.twitter.com/cFkXihsYgG
— NBA (@NBA) August 8, 2024
Steph Curry led the team with 36 points and 8 rebounds, falling just one point short of tying Carmelo Anthony’s 37-point record at the 2012 London Olympics. LeBron James contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, his second triple-double in the Olympics. The “crowd-favorite,” Joel Embiid, scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
Team USA will face Team France in the gold medal game this Saturday, August 10th, while Serbia will play Germany for the bronze medal.
The stage is SET! 🇺🇸 vs 🇫🇷 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/lwh1qu70jq
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 8, 2024
This is bonkers specially if you know that Simone Biles is already 27 years old!
Simone Biles is an Olympian and a 7-time gold medalist (future hall of famer), while Shaq is a 4-time NBA champ and a basketball hall of famer!