The United States, nicknamed the "Redeem Team", defeated Spain in the gold medal game, finishing the tournament undefeated and winning the gold medal for the first time since 2000, while Argentina, the defending Olympic champions who lost to the U.S. in the semifinals, won the bronze medal.

All times are China Standard Time (UTC+8) The Americans got off to a slow start with the Spaniards hitting seven of their first nine shots; if not for a 10–0 run by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the Americans would have trailed in the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets in the third quarter, with Spain cutting the deficit further to seven.

A three-point field goal by Rudy Fernández cut the lead into two, the smallest deficit with 8:13 left in the fourth.

In the final two minutes a three-pointer by Dwyane Wade and a Kobe Bryant field goal extended the lead back to 9.