Team USA started group play with a repeat of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal match against Japan. Team USA defeated Japan, winning their 56th straight Olympic match 102-76, with A’ja Wilson scoring 24 and Breanna Stewart adding 22.
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— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 29, 2024
USA Japan
A’ja Wilson got Team USA off to a good start, scoring 8 of the team’s first 12 points and leading 12-4 early. Team USA’s height advantage was clear in the first quarter, when they out-rebounded Japan 16-9.
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pic.twitter.com/04JPQ6PfHk— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 29, 2024
Japan’s speed and ability to knock down the three helped them remain within single digits after the first quarter. After the first quarter, Team USA lead by seven points, 22-15.
Japan came within four early in the second before Team USA went on an 8-0 run to push the lead back up to double digits (30-18). Japan would rally back and come within five late in the third quarter, but Team USA would finish the quarter strong, regaining their double-digit lead.
At halftime, Team USA led Japan 50-39, capitalizing on their size to dominate the points in the paint 32-10 and win the rebounding battle 31-14. Japan’s main strength was three-point shooting, as they made nine in the first half, going 9-23, while Team USA struggled, finishing 1-12.
Domin-A'ja
17 pts, 7/11 fg, 7 reb at the half
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— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 29, 2024
A’ja Wilson led all scorers at halftime with 17 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 7-11 from the field, while Breanna Stewart finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds on 7-8 shooting. Chelsea Gray showed why she is referred to as the Point Gawd, recording 11 assists in the first half while only turning the ball over once.
The third quarter would be all Team USA as they outscored Japan 29-18. Chelsea Gray’s no-look pass to Stewart in the third quarter was a highlight reel play, as Team USA held their 79-57 lead going into the fourth.
Chelsea Gray threads the needle for her 13TH assist of the day‼️ #ParisOlympics
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— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 29, 2024
Team USA kept their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter and won convincingly 102-76. The USA’s size would be too much for Japan, as they would finish with 64 points in the paint to Japan’s 22. Team USA won the final rebounding battle 56-27, and they outscored Japan 17-5 on fast breaks.
A’ja Wilson led all scorers with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocked shots on 10-16 shooting from the field (63%). Breanna Stewart ended the game with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocked shots on 11/15 from the field (73%). Kelsey Plum, Sabrina Ionescu, and Brittney Griner all ended with 11 points, finishing the double-digit scoring.
Team USA will face Emma Meesseman and Belgium on August 1st at 12 p.m. Belgium fell to Germany 83-69 in their opening group game, and they will try to bounce against Team USA.
