Paris 2024 women’s basketball: A’ja Wilson scores a double-double as Team USA beats Japan
Using their size to their advantage, the U.S. women’s basketball team won their first Group C game at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille on Monday, 29 July. Team USA won 102-76 over Japan.
A’ja Wilson led the way, scoring a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. She also had four blocks in just more than 26 minutes on the court. Wilson has been on a tear in her WNBA season for the Las Vegas Aces and she has carried that momentum to the Olympics.
But Wilson was far from the only U.S. player to shine in the game. Two-time gold medalist Breanna Stewart had 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Brittney Griner had 11 points and nine rebounds.
Every player on Team USA scored as coach Cheryl Reeve used the team’s depth and height to its advantage. The U.S. outrebounded Japan 56-27, which led to a huge 64-22 upper hand in points in the paint.
“It’s amazing to play with A’ja. Her and I are just continuing to create this two-women tandem on the court - looking for each other, high-low, running the floor and really making it difficult for the other team,” Stewart said after the game.
Wilson pointed out how the U.S. needs to build chemistry in these games. They don’t get as much time to play together as most other teams because of the WNBA schedule.
“We’re going to try to take every possession very seriously because we may not have the chemistry that the team we’re playing against has. But I think we’re starting to trust each other a lot more,” Wilson said.
Team USA overwhelm Japan’s defense
Japan’s Makada Taki scored 24 points, including shooting 10 from 11 from the field. Yamamoto Mai, who previously played for Japan’s 3x3 team at Tokyo 2020, added 17 points. They ran a full-court press defense for much of the game, but the depth of the U.S. team was able to stymie Japan’s efforts.
The United States is on a quest to win its eighth straight Olympic gold medal, a feat that has never been accomplished in team sports. This was its 56th consecutive Olympic win.
Group C has already had a surprise in it, though, as Germany beat Belgium 83-69. It was Germany’s first-ever win in women’s basketball at the Olympics. Now, Belgium will face the U.S. on Thursday, 1 August, while Japan will play Germany, also on Thursday.