The US women’s national basketball team opened group stage play in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics with a matchup versus Japan early Monday afternoon. America had a clear advantage in terms of size and got an early lead in the first quarter. Japan cut into the deficit with their three-point shooting but it wasn’t enough as the US won 102-76.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Both teams traded baskets early in the first two minutes of the first quarter. Then, in a 30-second span, A’ja Wilson took over, scoring three straight baskets and blocked Mai Yamamoto’s shot as the US went up 10-4. After a pair of free throws by Himawari Akaho, the United States went on a 12-6 run to end the opening period that included the team’s lone first-half three-pointer by Kelsey Plum.
Japan leaned on their three-point shooting in the second quarter, beginning with one by Yamamoto on the first possession. Breanna Stewart attacked the paint and midrange in the quarter as she went into the half with 14 points and helped extend America’s lead. Yamamoto and company combined to knock down nine first-half threes as Japan made 3/5 over a two-minute stretch but the US headed into the locker rooms with a 50-39 advantage as they went on a 13-5 run late in the quarter.
Neither team got much going coming out of the break outside of a layup by Napheesa Collier but Wilson and Stewart continued their scoring with easy transition and midrange baskets. Japan’s big man was Maki Takada, who was the only sort of paint presence as she scored eight points in the third quarter. It wouldn’t be enough though as the US outscored Japan by 11 and closed out the period with six made free throws to go up 22 headed into the fourth.
America continued to extend their lead in the final quarter as Ionescu caught fire, knocking down a few shots from deep. Takada and Yamamoto continued to score and try to make a comeback as even Takada made a couple of threes. It wouldn’t be enough however as the US dominated in the paint, winning 102-76 to continue their winning streak and start group stage play on a high note.
The US outscored Japan in the paint 64-22 and outrebounded them too 57-27. Japan relied on their three-point shooting and made 15 out of 39 attempts compared to America making just four out of their 20 shots.
BIG NUMBER: 12
All 12 players on the USWNT scored on Monday afternoon as A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart led the way with a combined 46 points while Britney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum each scored 11 points.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: A’ja Wilson
Not only was Wilson the leading scorer for the US with 24 points on 10-16 shooting, but she also recorded 13 rebounds (six offensive) and blocked four of Japan’s shots as America got the 102-76 win.
UP NEXT: USA Women’s Basketball will return on August 1st when they take on Belgium’s national team. Tip-off for the group-stage matchup in Lille, France is set for 2:00 p.m. central time.