LeBron James claims third Olympic title as all-conquering USA beat hosts France

LeBron James celebrated his third Olympic title as the United States beat hosts France 98-87 to win men's basketball gold for a fifth successive Games.

Decked out in gold sneakers that appeared to anticipate victory the 39-year-old James, back on the Olympic stage for the first time since London 2012, finished with 14 points, 10 assists and six rebounds to underpin the American performance.

Kevin Durant finished with 15 points on his way to his fourth gold medal but it was Stephen Curry who topped the scoring charts, nailing a series of late three-pointers to finish on 24 points.

Victor Wembanyama had 26 points and Guerschon Yabusele 20 for France but they did not have enough of a supporting cast to cope with the United States’ all-star line-up, and settled for Olympic silver for a fourth time.

Los Angeles Lakers star James opened the scoring with a dunk and then set about helping his team-mates, with his no-look pass teeing up Devin Booker.

France, who lost the Tokyo final to the United States 87-82 three years ago, were determined not to back down on their home court.

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Through the San Antonio Spurs’ Wembanyama, the 2023 number one NBA draft pick, and Real Madrid’s Yabusele in the points, they kept the scores close for much of the first half and managed to get under the skin of Durant and Booker in a pair of confrontations.

But the United States began to ease clear in the second quarter as Golden State Warriors great Curry, whose 36 points led them past Nikola Jokic’s Serbia in a