The world’s most dominant women’s basketball team took to the court for the first time at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Monday. But Team USA handled its first challenge with ease, beating Japan 102-76 on its way to an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The game started slowly, with the United States struggling to put the ball in the back of the net and Japan trailing them in points. But the American team managed to extend the lead, taking a comfortable lead in the third quarter and taking complete control of the game in the fourth.
Japan relied heavily on their three-point shooting to keep up with the United States throughout the first half, but the U.S. team managed to take the lead in the third quarter. The U.S. struggled a lot from three-point range, shooting 4-of-19 from three-point range, but played well in the paint.
A’ja Wilson led the team with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Breanna Stewart finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, while “The Point God” Chelsea Gray finished with 13 assists.
With the victory, Team USA extends its Olympic winning streak to 56 games, dating back to the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.
The United States continues its run with a match against Belgium on Thursday, followed by Germany on Sunday to close out the group stage.
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Team USA beats Japan 102-76
What started as a small challenge turned into another impressive performance from the United States, with Team USA easily securing a victory.
Another dominant performance from A’ja Wilson, who finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Breanna Stewart also had a big game with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Final: USA 102, Japan 76
Japan scores another three-pointer, but it doesn’t matter: it’s another dominant victory for the United States, 102-76.
Japan may be 30 points behind, but they are still putting on a show: Mai Yamamoto hits another magnificent three-pointer to bring Japan’s total to 71 points.
The United States scores 100 points thanks to an impressive pass from Ionescu to Kahleah Copper, who returns to the court after apparently being injured in the first half. Absolute domination from the American team, which leads 100-68.
And another three-pointer from Ionescu, who scored from the corner. She made three of the United States’ four three-pointers in this game.
The USA victory was now all but assured, thanks to an easy layup from Breanna Stewart that gave the American team a comfortable 91-64 lead. The Japanese pressure at the start of the game dissipated and the USA regained control of the game, in dominant fashion.
Japan scores a layup on the outside to make it 86-64, and the United States takes a timeout. The lead is still comfortable, but this is a good chance to rally.
Brittney Griner, who is dominating the Japanese from a distance, manages to get a rebound and hold it with one hand. It’s incredible to see.
Finally a three-pointer for the United States! Sabrina Ionescu hits a beautiful three-pointer to give the United States their second three-pointer of the game. It was a great possession overall, hitting the hands of every player on the court before reaching Ionescu.
Japan remains solid in its three-point game, but the United States widens the gap and manages to prevent some of Japan’s three-point attempts from going in the net. With a healthy 22-point lead at the end of the third quarter (bolstered by two free throws from Kelsey Plum just before the break), the team looks a little more relaxed on the bench.
79-57, United States, with one quarter remaining.
Great shot by Sabrina Ionescu, on an assist from Brittney Griner. Japan takes another timeout and the United States extends their lead, 69-49.
Japan scores three points after getting three consecutive offensive rebounds. Japan is not fazed by the height difference; they try every shot and every rebound, without holding back.
Chelsea Gray gets another great assist and passes it to Stewart for a layup. 56-39, USA.
Big block by Wilson, and rebound to give the ball to USA, but they immediately lose it. It’s a good sign to see some of that defense coming back.
The second half is now underway and the United States gets off to a good start, with a dime from A’ja Wilson to Napheesa Collier, who scores the layup with ease.
Team USA’s three-point shooting seems to be difficult today, and the two teams have almost opposite approaches to the game. Japan focuses on beyond the arc: only five of its 14 shots have come from inside the paint. The United States, meanwhile, has made just one three-pointer, but has made up for it with three-pointers, layups and, thanks to a few Japanese fouls, free throws.
The United States shot 1 of 12 from three-point range in the first half, while Japan made 9 of 23. Overall, the U.S. team made 22 of 40 shots, while Japan made just 14 of 39.
It was still a fairly goal-rich game for both teams, though – the defence could also be an area for improvement in the second half.
Both teams also have to watch their turnovers. The United States has seven and Japan has six, although the United States has scored 10 points off Japanese mistakes; Japan has scored only five off American turnovers.
Team USA 50, Japan 39 at halftime
The U.S. team has an 11-point lead at halftime, but it’s not a particularly comfortable lead. There’s still work to be done in the second half, particularly on shooting and turnovers.
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart had strong halftime stats, with Wilson racking up 17 points and seven rebounds and Stewart getting 14 points and six rebounds in the first half alone.
Big and one from Wilson, who pushes under the basket for a tricky layup. She makes her free throw, but Japan’s Saori Miyazaki gets a largely uncontested layup to end the half.
