Stephen Curry made a huge impact during his debut at the Summer Olympics.
As the United States men’s basketball team chased its fifth straight gold medal, Curry delivered standout performances in both the semifinals and the gold medal game. He was on fire, hitting 17 of 26 three-pointers in those crucial matches.
Simply put, Team USA’s gold medal was largely thanks to Curry’s exceptional play.
In the semifinals, Curry led a major comeback, and in the gold medal game, he continued his hot streak, nailing crucial three-pointers and celebrating with his trademark “night night” gesture with less than a minute left.
Despite Curry’s vital role throughout the tournament, he didn’t snag the MVP award. Instead, LeBron James took home the honor.
So, why did LeBron get the MVP instead of Curry? Here’s the reason.
Why didn’t Stephen Curry win Olympic MVP?
Curry didn’t take home the MVP award at the Olympics because the honor was based on the entire tournament, not just the final games. Although Curry was outstanding in the semifinals and gold medal game, LeBron James had a more consistent performance across all six games.
Before the semifinals, Curry had trouble finding his shooting rhythm and didn’t make the impact he’s known for. It was only in the final two games that he really shined.
On the other hand, LeBron James maintained a high level of play throughout the entire tournament. His consistent performance over all the games set him apart and earned him the MVP title.
Stephen Curry Olympic stats
| Games 1-4 | Games 5-6 | Totals | |
| Games | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| MPG | 19.3 | 31.5 | 23.3 |
| PPG | 7.3 | 30.0 | 14.8 |
| RPG | 2.5 | 4.5 | 3.2 |
| APG | 2.0 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| TOV | 0.8 | 3.5 | 1.7 |
| FG-FGA | 10-28 (35.7%) | 20-32 (62.5%) | 30-60 (50.0%) |
| 3FG% | 5-20 (25.0%) | 17-26 (65.4%) | 22-46 (47.8%) |
| FT% | 4-4 (100.0%) | 3-3 (100%) | 7-7 (100.0%) |
Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James: Olympic stats
As the Olympics drew to a close, Curry managed to surpass James as Team USA’s leading scorer, thanks to his strong performance in the final games. However, James excelled in other areas, leading the team in rebounds and assists per game.
Though Curry edged out James in scoring, James’ all-around consistency and ability to contribute in multiple aspects of the game gave him an edge. In the end, Curry scored only four more points than James over the course of the tournament, but James’ overall contributions were key in earning him the MVP title.
| Curry | James | |
| MPG | 23.3 | 24.5 |
| PPG | 14.8 | 14.2 |
| RPG | 3.2 | 6.8 |
| APG | 2.5 | 8.5 |
| TOV | 1.7 | 4.0 |
| FG% | 50.0% | 66.0% |
| 3P% | 47.8% | 30.8% |
| FT% | 100.0% | 73.3% |
