Looking at the USA vs France Olympic basketball box score, I can’t help but feel that numbers only tell half the story. Sure, the final score read 87-82 in favor of Team USA, but anyone who watched that game knows it was a rollercoaster—a gritty, physical battle that came down to the final possessions. As someone who’s analyzed international basketball for over a decade, I’ve learned that stats like field goal percentages and rebounds only scratch the surface. What really stood out to me was how both teams leaned on their veteran leaders when the pressure peaked, something that reminded me of that quote from Scottie Thompson about LA Tenorio: “Classic. Legend. Idol. Wala akong masabi.” That kind of reverence for a seasoned floor general? We saw it in real time with Team USA’s Kevin Durant and France’s Evan Fournier.
Let’s break down the numbers, starting with scoring. Kevin Durant dropped 29 points on 12-of-21 shooting, including four three-pointers. That’s the KD we know—unstoppable in international play. But what impressed me more was his timing. With about five minutes left in the fourth quarter and the U.S. clinging to a two-point lead, Durant hit back-to-back jumpers that felt like daggers. On the French side, Evan Fournier poured in 28 points, and his ability to create his own shot against tight defense was just brilliant. He shot 11-of-22 from the field, and honestly, if a couple of those late contested looks had fallen, we might be talking about a different outcome. I’ve always believed that in high-stakes games, you need that one guy who isn’t afraid to take the big shots, and both Durant and Fournier embodied that. It’s that “classic game by Kuya LA” vibe—the veteran who steps up when everything is on the line.
Where the game was really won, though, was in the margins. Team USA outrebounded France 44-36, with Bam Adebayo pulling down 10 boards, including 4 on the offensive glass. Those second-chance points were crucial, especially in a game where every possession felt like a battle. But let’s be real—the Americans struggled with turnovers, committing 14 compared to France’s 9. That’s been a recurring issue for them, and against a disciplined team like France, it nearly cost them the win. I remember thinking during the third quarter, when France went on a 12-2 run, that the U.S. looked disjointed. Their ball movement stagnated, and they settled for too many tough shots. Meanwhile, France’s Rudy Gobert was a force inside, finishing with 14 points and 9 rebounds. His presence altered so many shots, even if it doesn’t fully show up in the box score.
Defensively, both teams had moments of brilliance. The U.S. forced France into 12 turnovers and came up with 8 steals, led by Jrue Holiday’s three. Holiday’s defense on Fournier down the stretch was, in my opinion, the difference-maker. He disrupted France’s offensive flow just enough to give the U.S. the edge. On the other side, France’s team defense was stellar for long stretches—they held the Americans to just 45% shooting from the field. But where they faltered was in containing Durant in isolation situations. I’ve always felt that international teams, no matter how well-coached, struggle to handle elite one-on-one scorers when the game slows down. That’s exactly what happened here.
When I step back and look at the bigger picture, this game reinforced something I’ve believed for years: experience and poise win at this level. The U.S. relied heavily on Durant and Holiday, while France leaned on Fournier and Gobert. It’s that trust in your veterans, that “thank you, nabigyan kami ng another chance” mentality Thompson mentioned, that separates good teams from great ones. Team USA got another chance to reach the finals because their leaders delivered when it mattered most. Moving forward, if they can clean up the turnovers and maintain their defensive intensity for four quarters, they’ll be tough to beat. But France proved they belong in the conversation—disciplined, skilled, and never backing down. This wasn’t just a game; it was a masterclass in high-level basketball, and I feel lucky to have witnessed it.