The most dominant women’s basketball team in the world hit the hardwood for the first time at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Monday. But Team USA handled its first challenge with ease, defeating Japan 102-76 on the journey towards an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
The game got to a slow start, with the U.S. struggling to get the ball into the net and Japan staying right behind them on points. But Team USA was able to widen the gap, taking a comfortable lead in the third quarter and gaining full control of the game by the fourth.
Japan depended heavily on its three-point shooting to keep up with the United States throughout the first half, but Team USA was able to pull away in the third quarter. The U.S. struggled mightily from beyond the arc, going 4-for-19 in three-point shooting, but played well in the paint.
A’ja Wilson led the team in points with 24, racking up 13 rebounds as well. Breanna Stewart ended with 22 points and eight rebounds of her own, while “The Point God” Chelsea Gray ended with 13 assists.
With the win, the U.S. team extends its Olympic win streak to 56 games, dating back to the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.
The United States continues its run with a game against Belgium on Thursday, followed by Germany on Sunday to close out the group stage.
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Team USA defeats Japan 102-76
What started as a bit of a challenge evolved into another commanding United States performance, as Team USA easily cruises to a win.
Another dominant performance for A’ja Wilson, who ends with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Breanna Stewart had a big game of her own with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Final: USA 102, Japan 76
Japan gets in one more 3-pointer, but it doesn’t matter; it’s another dominant win for the U.S., 102-76.
Japan might be down by 30, but they’re still putting on a show: Mai Yamamoto sinks another magnificent three-pointer to get Japan to 71 points.
The United States hits 100 off an impressive dime from Ionescu to Kahleah Copper, who is back in after seemingly injuring herself in the first half. Absolutely dominant stuff from Team USA as they go up 100-68.
And another three from Ionescu, who sinks it from the corner. She has three of the U.S.’s four three-pointers this game.
The United States’ win is all but guaranteed now, as an easy Breanna Stewart layup gives Team USA a commanding 91-64 lead. That early pressure from Japan has dissipated, and the U.S. is back in control, in dominant fashion.
Japan gets a wide-open layup to make the score 86-64, and the U.S. takes a timeout. Still a comfortable lead but it’s a good chance to regroup.
Brittney Griner — who is just towering over the Japanese — manages to get a rebound and hold onto it with one hand. Wild to see.
Finally, a three-pointer for the U.S.! Sabrina Ionescu hits a huge shot from beyond the arc to give the United States just its second three-pointer this game. It was a great possession overall, touching the hands of every player on the court on its way to Ionescu.
Japan’s three-point game is staying strong, but the U.S. is widening the gap and is able to keep some of Japan’s three-point attempts from going into the net. With a solid 22-point lead at the end of the third quarter (boosted by two free throws from Kelsey Plum just before the break), the team looks a bit more relaxed on the bench.
79-57, United States, with one quarter left to play.
Great cut and shot from Sabrina Ionescu, off an assist from Brittney Griner. Japan takes another timeout as the U.S. stretches its lead, 69-49.
Japan sinks a three after getting three offensive rebounds in a row. Japan isn’t letting the heigh differences scare them; they’re going for every shot and rebound, no holds barred.
Chelsea Gray gets another excellent assist and gets it to Stewart for a layup. 56-39, United States.
Big block from Wilson, and a rebound to give the U.S. the ball, but they immediately turn it over. It’s a good sign to see some of that defense has returned.
The second half is now underway, and the U.S. is starting on a good foot, with an A’ja Wilson dime to Napheesa Collier, who hits the layup with ease.
With Team USA’s three-point shooting looking rough today, the two teams are taking near-opposite approaches to the game. Japan’s focus is beyond the arc: Only five of their 14 successful shots were from inside the paint. The U.S., meanwhile, only has one successful three-pointer, but has made up for it with jumpers, layups and — thanks to some Japan fouls — free throws.
The U.S. is 1-for-12 for three-point shooting in the first half, whereas Japan is 9-for-23. Overall, though, Team USA is 22-for-40 on shooting, while Japan is only 14-for-39.
Still, it’s a pretty high-scoring game for both sides — defense might be another thing that needs work for the second half.
Both teams also need to watch turnovers. The U.S. has seven and Japan has six, though the U.S. has scored 10 points off Japan’s mistakes; Japan has only scored five off the U.S.’s turnovers.
Team USA 50, Japan 39 at halftime
Team USA has an 11-point lead at the break, but it’s not a particularly comfortable one. Still some work to do in the second half — especially on shooting and turnovers.
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart have strong statlines for the half, with Wilson racking up 17 points and seven rebounds and Stewart getting 14 points and six rebounds in just the first half.
Big and-one from Wilson, who pushes through under the basket for a tricky layup. She sinks her free throw, but Japan’s Saori Miyazaki gets a largely uncontested layup to close out the half.
