Diana Taurasi wins her record 6th Olympic gold medal as US women's basketball beats France

PARIS (AP) — Diana Taurasi held up six fingers on the medal stand.

No one else measures up: She stands alone in Olympic basketball lore with six gold medals.

The 42-year-old American was part of the U.S. women's team that beat France 67-66 on Sunday, Taurasi's sixth gold medal, breaking a tie with longtime American teammate Sue Bird for most in Olympic basketball history.

“Twenty years of putting this jersey on is truly a dream come true,” she said. “It’s an honor to share the court with the best in the world for 20 years.”

Taurasi stood with a hand over her heart during the national anthem as part of the medal ceremony one final time. Then it was time for more photos, including one last one with her family that was in attendance and the latest addition to her golden collection.

Taurasi has been a part of 44 of the record 61 consecutive Olympic victories dating to the 1992 Barcelona Games. The win Sunday was the closest of the run.

“That was a great French team, you know, a great crowd. We found a way to win, you know, and that’s what these games come down to, is finding a way to win,” she said. “You know, you think it’s going to be pretty and every shot is going to go in. But, you know, the will to win is, is sometimes the only thing you need.”

Unlike the previous five Olympics she has been a part of, Taurasi wasn't a major factor on the court in this one as the U.S. won its eighth consecutive gold medal. She didn't play in this title game.

Taurasi still provided valuable experience off the court for the Americans, who now have won 61 straight Olympic contests dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Brittney Griner, who played the last three Olympics with Taurasi, said that her Phoenix Mercury teammate will be missed.

“Dee is everything to USA Basketball. She's everything to each and every single one of us,” Griner said. 'You know, there’s going to be a void, you know, with her not being here anymore. And, I’m just glad I was able to be here with her and enjoy this this time."

U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said she had conversations with Taurasi about her role on the team and has been impressed with how the WNBA's all-time leading scorer has handled a reduced role after defining USA Basketball for so very long.

“She’s ran the gamut. And, you know, in her final Olympics, the mark that she’s making in terms of leadership and just sharing the knowledge that she has," Reeve said.

“I don’t know that there’s a greater competitor for USA basketball. I mean, there’s been some tremendous ones. There’s sort of a Mount Rushmore.”

Once the latest U.S. Olympic title was secured, Taurasi got in lots of hugs during the celebration, including with Bird, who watched this game from the opposite sideline in street clothes.

Taurasi said that she is retired now from USA Basketball even with the next Olympics in her hometown of Los Angeles in 2028.

She joked that you might see her there “on the beach with a beer in my hand sitting next to Sue.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

United States' Diana Taurasi reacts after winning her sixth gold medal at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' Diana Taurasi is seen after a women's gold medal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' Diana Taurasi reacts after winning aher sixth gold medal at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' Cheryl Reeve talks with Diana Taurasi (12) during a women's quarterfinal game against Nigeria at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The United States team celebrates their gold medal win at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Diana Taurasi (12) poses for a picture with her gold medal at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The New England Patriots showed in Week 2 why they are sticking with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback over first-round draft pick Drake Maye.

Not because Brissett is moving the offense with his arm, or even his legs.

But because it’s not yet safe for Maye to line up behind the Patriots’ offensive line.

Brissett was sacked three times and hit a handful of others in the 23-20 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. One left the caretaker quarterback favoring his shoulder, another twisted his knee.

And the Patriots have invested too much in Maye — the No. 3 overall pick in the draft — to put the former North Carolina star at risk.

“You never want your quarterback to get hit,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “We have to do a better job with our pass (protection) up front, and we have to keep him clean. Because even when he’s not getting hit, or any quarterback, if they’re back there and they feel people around him, it always is going to affect you a little bit.”

Although the Patriots came into the season with low expectations — they were the biggest underdog in the league in Week 1 — Brissett managed the offense well enough to come away with an upset of the Cincinnati Bengals. Mayo crowed that his offensive line had been unfairly maligned.

But the problems the blockers showed in the preseason — Brissett hurt his right shoulder in the finale against Washington — reappeared against the Seahawks.

One key turning point came after Antonio Gibson broke free for a 45-yard run to the Seattle 25 with about seven minutes left and New England holding a 20-17 lead. After two runs that took almost two minutes off the clock, Brissett was sacked for a 9-yard loss, dropping the Patriots from the 21 to the 30.

The 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked, setting the Seahawks up on a short field for the tying field goal that sent the game into overtime.

The defense — especially the run defense — has been solid. The Seahawks managed just 46 yards on 19 carries.

The passing game has been slow to develop over the first two games, with Brissett totaling 30 completions for 270 yards and one touchdown so far this season. He has thrown only one pass downfield, according to Sportradar — the fewest attempts of 20 or more yards in the league. Only the Commanders (0-2), the Panthers (0-6) and the Bears (0-10) also have failed to complete a deep pass.

Tight end Hunter Henry caught eight passes, matching a career high, for a personal-best 109 yards.

After managing the season opener well enough to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, Brissett completed just 15 of 27 passes for 149 yards.

Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, a defensive captain, left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury. Center David Andrews missed practice on Monday with a hip injury.

19 – Brissett completed three passes for 19 yards to wide receivers in the game. It’s the eighth time since the merger that Patriots wide receivers have picked up fewer than 20 passing yards in a game. Brissett has two of them, also connecting with wide receivers for just 16 yards in a 16-0 loss to Buffalo on Oct. 2, 2016, the final game of Tom Brady’s Deflategate suspension.

The Patriots travel to the Meadowlands to play the Jets on Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

New England Patriots place kicker Joey Slye, right, kicks a field goal in front of punter Bryce Baringer, left, in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo adjusts his microphone in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, right, celebrates after his touchdown with tight end Hunter Henry, left, in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, left, and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, greet one another in the center of the field following an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett speaks with reporters following an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is brought down by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe, center, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, right, is brought down by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe, left, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams, center, in front of Patriots guard Michael Jordan, left, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)