USA retains wheelchair basketball title at Paralympics, Great Britain takes silver

In a thrilling final at the Bercy Arena in Paris, the United States secured their third consecutive Paralympic wheelchair basketball title by defeating Great Britain 73-69. The match, held in front of a vibrant crowd of 20,000, showcased the intense rivalry between the two teams, with the Americans maintaining control throughout the game. Jake Williams and captain Steve Serio were standout performers for the US, scoring 26 and 24 points respectively, while Great Britain's Lee Manning and Phil Pratt contributed 21 and 17 points. The contest was a rematch of the previous World Championship finals, with Britain having won the title in 2018 before the US reclaimed it in 2022. Despite their strong performance throughout the tournament, Great Britain fell short in the final, marking their best result since 28 years ago when they lost to Australia. The British team had shown impressive form leading up to the final, but the experience of the American side proved decisive. In the final quarter, Britain made a valiant effort to close the gap, coming within three points with just under 12 seconds remaining. However, crucial free throws from Brian Bell allowed the US to maintain their lead and secure the victory. Terry Bywater, a veteran player for Britain, expressed pride in his team's performance despite the disappointment of the narrow loss. The event concluded with a sense of achievement for both teams, as Great Britain celebrated their silver medal, their best finish in nearly three decades, while the US continued their dominance in wheelchair basketball at the Paralympics.