Texas basketball-ex Kevin Durant instrumental in Gold Medal run

After some real doubts as to whether former Texas basketball star Kevin Durant and the United States could claim the Gold Medal in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, the team got it done. Team USA hit some bumps in the road, but eventually still claimed the Gold Medal after knocking off, and subsequently getting revenge against, France on Aug. 6.

It was once again the Brooklyn Nets superstar forward and former Longhorn KD that spearheaded the effort for Team USA. He was instrumental in this close victory over the French, which came by the final score of 87-82.

KD was also big for the United States in the wins over Australia and Spain to get to this point.

The two spark plugs for the United States offense in the last two games of the knockout stages were KD and Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum. KD registered a game-high 29 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal, in this win over France. And he shot 9-of-18 from the field, 3-of-9 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line.

Texas basketball-ex Kevin Durant once again pushes Team USA in a huge win, this time for Gold

Meanwhile, Tatum gave Team USA 19 points, seven rebounds, no assists, and one steal, coming off the bench.

Where Team USA really thrived in this game was actually on the defensive end of the floor. France turned it over 18 times, compared to just nine for the United States. Team USA also had five blocks compared to zero for France.

Especially considering that France has some known defensive standout big men in the starting unit, such as Rudy Gobert and Guerschon Yabusele, that is an impressive feat for the United States.

KD was largely the driving force for this team to claim the Gold Medal. It seemed like a switch flipped for KD and Tatum once the end of pool play hit. The United States as a whole hit a turning point there.

This is now the third Olympic Gold Medal for KD in his time playing for the United States. If he does compete with the United States in the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, then he could be looking at four, which is not a feat that many NBA players can tout.

KD and the United States finished up this run in the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo on a four-game winning streak, dating back to the group play finale victory over the Czech Republic. This win over France helped to exact revenge on Team USA’s loss in the group play opener last month.