USA vs France Basketball Box Score: Complete Stats and Game Analysis
2025-11-16 09:00
As I sat down to analyze the USA vs France basketball box score from that memorable Olympic final, I couldn't help but recall Scottie Thompson's words about his backcourt partner - "Classic. Legend. Idol." That's exactly how I'd describe what we witnessed between these two basketball powerhouses. The final score of 87-82 doesn't fully capture the drama that unfolded in Tokyo, where Team USA secured their fourth consecutive gold medal in what became an instant classic.
Looking at the raw numbers, Kevin Durant delivered what I consider one of the greatest Olympic performances I've ever seen - 29 points on 9-of-18 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 35 minutes of pure basketball artistry. His third-quarter explosion where he scored 14 consecutive points completely shifted the momentum when France had built a 7-point lead. What impressed me most wasn't just the scoring - it was his efficiency and timing. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum added 19 points off the bench, providing that crucial secondary scoring that championship teams absolutely need in tight situations. The Americans shot 47% from the field overall, but what really stood out to me was their 57% shooting from two-point range - they consistently attacked the paint when their outside shots weren't falling early.
France's performance deserves more credit than many analysts are giving them. Evan Fournier put up 28 points with incredible efficiency, going 11-of-22 from the field, while Rudy Gobert dominated the glass with 16 rebounds to go with his 14 points. Their strategy of slowing the game down and exploiting mismatches in the post nearly paid off. I've got to say, France's defensive scheme in the first half was brilliant - they forced Team USA into 12 first-half turnovers and limited fast-break opportunities. The French shot 47% as well but attempted eight fewer free throws, which ultimately made the difference in such a close contest.
The turnover battle tells an interesting story - Team USA committed 15 turnovers to France's 11, but what the box score doesn't show is how many of those came in the first half when the Americans seemed rattled by France's physical defense. I noticed Damian Lillard struggled particularly, finishing with just 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting with 4 turnovers. His backcourt partner Jrue Holiday, however, was sensational - 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals while playing phenomenal defense on Fournier during crucial stretches. Holiday's impact goes beyond traditional stats - his defensive pressure in the fourth quarter completely disrupted France's offensive rhythm.
When you dive deeper into the advanced metrics, Team USA's 112.3 offensive rating compared to France's 107.8 shows how efficient both teams were, but the real story was the clutch performance down the stretch. In the final five minutes, Team USA shot 4-of-6 from the field while holding France to 2-of-7 shooting. That defensive intensity when it mattered most is what separates good teams from championship teams. The Americans also dominated points in the paint 42-34, which surprised me given Gobert's presence.
From my perspective having covered international basketball for over a decade, this game demonstrated how the global gap in basketball talent has significantly narrowed. France led for nearly 28 minutes of game time and outrebounded Team USA 41-34. They executed their game plan almost perfectly - control tempo, limit transition opportunities, and attack mismatches. What ultimately cost them was their three-point shooting - just 33% compared to Team USA's 39%. In modern basketball, that differential is often decisive in close games.
The bench production told another crucial story - Team USA's reserves outscored France's 30-15, with Tatum's 19 being the standout performance. France's reliance on their starters showed in the fourth quarter when their legs seemed to tire during critical possessions. Nando de Colo contributed 12 points and 7 assists, but France needed more from their role players when the game was on the line.
Reflecting on Thompson's comments about his teammate, that's exactly how I feel about Durant's performance - classic, legendary, idol-worthy. At 32 years old, he delivered when his team needed him most, cementing his status as perhaps the greatest international basketball player ever. The box score shows he took 18 shots, but what it doesn't capture is the degree of difficulty on those attempts or the defensive attention he commanded every time he touched the ball.
This game reminded me why I love basketball analytics - the numbers tell a story, but they don't tell the whole story. The intensity, the adjustments, the individual matchups, the emotional swings - these are what make games like this unforgettable. Team USA's victory wasn't just about superior talent - it was about resilience, experience, and making plays when everything was on the line. The final margin of 5 points perfectly reflects how closely matched these teams were, and honestly, I think we might see a similar battle in Paris 2024.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
