The U.S. women's basketball team utilized their size advantage to secure a victory in their first Group C game at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille on Monday, July 29. Team USA triumphed 102-76 against Japan.
A'ja Wilson showcased her dominance with an impressive double-double, tallying 24 points and 13 rebounds, along with four blocks in over 26 minutes of play. Her stellar form in the WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces has seamlessly transitioned to the Olympics.
Wilson wasn't the sole standout among U.S. players in the game. Two-time gold medalist Breanna Stewart contributed with 22 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Brittney Griner added 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Coach Cheryl Reeve utilized Team USA's depth and height to their advantage, resulting in every player scoring. The U.S. dominated Japan with a 56-27 rebounding edge, translating into a significant 64-22 advantage in points scored in the paint.
Japan's Makada Taki had an impressive performance, scoring 24 points and shooting an efficient 10 out of 11 from the field. Yamamoto Mai, who had represented Japan's 3x3 team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, contributed 17 points to Japan's effort. The Japanese team employed a full-court press defense for a significant portion of the game, but the depth and talent of the U.S. team ultimately proved too much, as they were able to overcome Japan's defensive strategy.
The United States is striving to achieve its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, a milestone unprecedented in team sports. This marked their 56th consecutive Olympic victory.
Group C has already seen an unexpected result, as Germany defeated Belgium 83-69. This marks Germany's first victory in women's basketball at the Olympics. Belgium is set to take on the U.S. on Thursday, August 1, while Japan will compete against Germany on the same day.