U.S. Women’s Basketball Team Dominates Japan in Olympic Opener

The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team Dominates Japan in Olympic Opener

VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France (AP) — The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team kicked off their Olympic journey with a resounding victory over Japan on Monday night, winning 102-76 in a thrilling display of skill and teamwork.

Led by A’ja Wilson’s 24 points and Breanna Stewart’s 22 points, the Americans showed why they are considered one of the favorites to win gold in Paris. This win extends the team’s impressive 56-game Olympic winning streak that dates back to the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The last time these two teams met in the Olympics was in the 2018 Tokyo Games gold medal match, where the U.S. emerged victorious. With Monday’s win, the Americans are on track to defend their title and continue their dominance in women’s basketball.

Despite Japan’s efforts to stay competitive with their sharpshooting and fast-paced style of play, the U.S. pulled away in the second half, thanks to Chelsea Gray’s playmaking and Wilson’s scoring prowess.

One of the standout performers for Japan was Maki Takada, who scored 24 points and gave the U.S. defense some trouble with her shooting. However, it was not enough to overcome the superior size and skill of the American team.

Notable in the game was the return of Brittney Griner to international play after her harrowing ordeal in a Russian prison. Griner, who was instrumental in the 2021 gold medal game, showed her resilience and talent once again on the court, contributing 11 points and nine rebounds in the win.

The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team will look to continue their winning ways as they face Belgium next on Thursday. With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, the team is poised to make a strong statement in Paris and add another gold medal to their impressive collection.