The United States men's basketball team enters Saturday's Olympic final with a ton of momentum.
But its opponent will have the home crowd.
Fresh off a furious fourth-quarter rally in the semifinals against Serbia, the Americans have earned the right to play for their fifth consecutive gold medal. In order to do so, they'll have to take down host country France with reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama leading the way.
Pressure is on both teams as U.S. star Kevin Durant tries to become the first men's basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals.
Follow along for the latest news, analysis and highlights from Team USA's battle against France.
When does USA men's basketball play next at Paris Olympics?
Team USA will play France today, Saturday, Aug. 10, in the gold medal game.
What time is USA men's basketball vs. France?
Tip-off for USA vs. France is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
USA men's basketball Paris Olympics schedule
The U.S. men’s national team went 3-0 during group play and won its quarterfinal and semifinal matches. Here's the dates for the U.S. games:
- Sunday, July 28: USA 110, Serbia 84
- Wednesday, July 31: USA 103, South Sudan 86
- Saturday, Aug. 3: USA 104, Puerto Rico 83
- Tuesday, Aug. 6: USA 122, Brazil 87
- Thursday, Aug. 8: USA 95, Serbia 91
- Saturday: USA vs. France, 3:30 p.m. ET in gold medal match
USA men's basketball Olympics roster
* Each asterisk represents an Olympic appearance (includes 2024 Paris Olympics)
- ** Anthony Davis , Los Angeles Lakers
- * Anthony Edwards , Minnesota Timberwolves
- ** Bam Adebayo , Miami Heat
- *Derrick White , Boston Celtics
- ** Devin Booker , Phoenix Suns
- ** Jayson Tatum , Boston Celtics
- * Joel Embiid , Philadelphia 76ers
- ** Jrue Holiday , Boston Celtics
- **** Kevin Durant , Phoenix Suns
- **** LeBron James , Los Angeles Lakers
- * Stephen Curry , Golden State Warriors
- * Tyrese Haliburton , Indiana Pacers
About an hour before tip-off, U.S. assistant coaches Erik Spoelstra, Ty Lue and Mark Few are working with U.S. players, including LeBron James, who was the first American on the court. Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo are also warming up.
Victor Wembanyama received a warm welcome from French fans he stepped onto the court for his pregame workout. Evan Fournier joined Wembanyama minutes later.
Ever since France made changes to its starting lineup after the group stage of 5x5 men’s basketball, it has played its best ball of the Olympics, beating Canada and Germany to reach the gold medal game against the U.S. Both teams are coming off emotional victories in the semifinals.
France coach Vincent Collet benched Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier and replaced them with Guerschon Yabusele and Isaia Cordinier. It worked. Fournier still gets regular minutes but Gobert’s minutes have decreased, and France is guaranteed at least a silver medal.
Can it win gold? It will need to use its size and a defense anchored by 7-4 rising NBA star Victor Wembanyama and find enough against offense against the U.S. France, which lost to the U.S. in the gold medal game at the Olympics three years in Tokyo, will need to play a near-perfect game against a deep and talented U.S. team that will be ready for a road-game atmosphere at Paris’ Bercy Arena.
- Dan Wolken: USA 90, France 73
- Jeff Zillgitt: USA 94, France 80
The men's basketball gold medal final can be viewed on Peacock, NBC and Telemundo.
There is an encore broadcast at midnight ET on USA Network.
Team USA's starting five against France in the gold medal game:
- Stephen Curry
- Devin Booker
- LeBron James
- Kevin Durant
- Joel Embiid
July 27
- Australia 92, Spain 80
- Germany 97, Japan 77
- France 78, Brazil 66
- Canada 86, Canada 79
July 28
- South Sudan 90, Puerto Rico 79
- United States 110, Serbia 84
July 30
- Spain 84, Greece 77
- Canada 93, Australia 83
- France 94, Japan 90 (OT)
- Germany 86, Brazil 73
July 31
- Serbia 107, Puerto Rico 66
- United States 103, South Sudan 86
Aug. 2
- Brazil 102, Japan 84
- Greece 77, Australia 71
- Canada 88, Spain 85
- Germany 85, France 71
Aug. 3
- United States 104, Puerto Rico 83
- Serbia 96, South Sudan 85
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA men's basketball vs. France live updates: What to know for Olympics gold medal game
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