The most dominant women’s basketball team in the world hits the hardwood for the first time at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics when Team USA squares off with Japan on Monday.
The U.S. team is trying for an eighth straight Olympic gold and enters the matchup on a 55-game Olympic win streak dating back to the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. Simply put, Japan is very unlikely to threaten that streak against a loaded American squad led by WNBA stars A’ja Wilson, Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi. While veteran stars are hopeful to continue Team USA’s dominance, star rookie Caitlin Clark was not selected for the squad.
From the experts at Yahoo Sports
BetMGM has the U.S. as a 20.5-point favorite over Japan.
The U.S. men’s basketball team took care of business with an Olympic-opening win over Serbia on Sunday. Can the women follow suit?
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Time: 3 p.m. ET, Monday, July 29
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Location: Pierre Mauroy Stadium | Lille, France
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Channel: USA Network
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Stream: Fubo, Peacock
Live14 updates
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:22 PM CDT
With the second quarter underway, Team USA’s three-point shooting issues are ongoing: Two straight misses from Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd don’t inspire much confidence.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:20 PM CDT
Team USA 22, Japan 15 after the first quarter
The U.S. holds the lead at the end of the first quarter, but it’s not quite the dominant performance they might’ve been hoping for so far.
It’s been a bit tough shooting-wise for Team USA: They’re only 1/7 on three-point shooting, and 10/21 shooting overall. Turnovers have also been an issue for both teams, with five turnovers for the U.S. and four for Japan. Definitely some things to work on in the second frame.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:15 PM CDT
A’ja Wilson gets a great pass, but can’t get the ball into the basket as it bounces out twice. After some persistence, she’s able to make the shot.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:11 PM CDT
Huge three-pointer from Japan’s Mai Yamamoto. The U.S. certainly has a size advantage in this game: Yamamoto is just 5’5″, and the tallest member of the team is 6’1″. Team USA, meanwhile, only has four players under 6-foot.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:08 PM CDT
A great steal from Chelsea Gray, who gives it to A’ja Wilson for a mid-range shot. A strong assist from Diana Taurasi to Wilson gives the U.S. a 10-4 lead. After a slow start, the U.S. is finally starting to build up some steam on offense.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:06 PM CDT
Some turnovers on both sides have made things unexpectedly close and low-scoring to start. It’s currently 4-4 after three minutes.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:03 PM CDT
Team USA takes on Japan in Paris
And we’re off! The United States with a pair of easy points from A’ja Wilson, who won the jump ball for Team USA.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 2:01 PM CDT
Japan’s starting lineup
Japan will start off with guards Saori Miyazaki and Mai Yamamoto, forwards Saki Hayashi, Stephanie Mawuli and Evelyn Mawuli.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:59 PM CDT
As if eight straight gold medals isn’t impressive enough, the U.S. is also 72-3 all-time at the Olympic games. The team’s last Olympic loss was in 1992.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:55 PM CDT
Team USA drops its starting lineup
Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Napheesa Collier are starting off for the United States.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:53 PM CDT
Today’s game is a rematch of the Tokyo 2020 final, where the United States defeated Japan 90-75 to take the gold medal. Though the U.S. took a relatively easy win, Japan put up a good fight, and are likely to be tough to tackle today as well. This Japanese team keeps the tempo up and plays well from beyond the arc.
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:37 PM CDT
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:20 PM CDT
The USA women’s basketball team is ready to go 🏀
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Mon, July 29, 2024 at 1:16 PM CDT
Team USA takes on Japan to start quest for an eighth-straight medal
The United States, the defending Olympic gold medalists in women’s basketball, will hope to keep their golden streak alive this games. That all starts today, with the first group stage game against Japan.
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