Since basketball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1936, Team USA has won all but four gold medals in men’s Olympic basketball. The last official loss Team USA Basketball suffered was in the 2004 Summer games in Athens when they were defeated by Argentina. Going into their opening matchup of the 2020 Tokyo summer games versus France, Team USA held a 25-game Olympic winning streak.
Team USA Basketball’s 25-game winning streak snapped
In a shameful display on Sunday for Team USA, France defeated the Americans by a final score of 83-76. With a minute to go, Evan Fournier hit a three-pointer to give the French the lead for good. Fournier’s shot was crucial for France. Their comeback was complete after the Americans had taken an eight-point lead with four minutes to go. The Americans then had an unbelievable possession in which they managed to get five shots off but missed them all. Zach LaVine, Kevin Durant, and Jrue Holiday all missed wide-open three-pointers in the final seconds.
Fournier led France with a game-high twenty-eight points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field. In addition, Rudy Gobert chipped in with fourteen points and nine rebounds.
Team US-O-S vs. La France Féroce
The USA played terribly, as evidenced by the fact that several players racked up more personal fouls than field goals. When nearly half of your team has as many fouls as shots made, it’s difficult to win a game in the Olympics. The US shot just thirty-six percent from the field as a team, compared to forty-seven percent for France. This made a major difference in a game decided by seven points.
France outscored Team USA 16-2 in the last minutes to win the game. Team USA Basketball has now lost three of the five games it has played so far, including exhibition games. “I think we have a history of dominance and maybe not always blowing people out, but we have a history of winning. And it’s not often that you see Team USA go out there and lose, especially to start,” said NBA star Damian Lillard,
One thing that’s clear: it’s not looking good for Team USA’s chances at bringing home the gold.
Written by John Galietta
Instagram: @jgalietta17
Twitter: @jgalietta17
