The United States women’s basketball team is projected to improve as the Olympics go, as it develops chemistry and gains experience playing together. But, in the meantime, having a better size is certainly a luxury.
The Americans capitalized on their edge in their Olympic debut, defeating the smaller Japan team 102-76 in a repeat of the 2021 gold medal game in Tokyo. They are currently 56-0 at the Olympics since 1992, taking the first step toward their eighth straight gold medal.
Japan’s tallest player is 6-foot-1, while Team USA has six players that height or greater. That disparity was the game’s distinguishing feature.
Team USA scored 64 points in the paint, constantly getting into position for entry passes or offensive rebounds that punished their smaller opponents.
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart took turns working on the inside. Wilson was tenacious in her pursuit of loose balls, scoring 10 of 16 shots for 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, six of which were offensive. She also had four blocks.
“I had to play to my strength,” Wilson said. “And I believe that in these sorts of games, you must strike early and often because the side with the greatest physicality usually wins.
“So we had to come out and establish ourselves at an all-time high right on this platform. I believe we did well at it.”
Stewart was able to create easy looks by running the floor and getting loose in transition by just outrunning the Japanese defenders, which is one of her trademarks. She hit 11 of 15 shots, totaling 22 points and eight rebounds. She also owned two blocks.
“It’s amazing to play with A’ja,” Stewart stated. “Her and I are just continuing to create this two-woman tandem on the court — looking for each other, running the floor and really making it difficult for the other team.”
With Brittney Griner, who scored 5 of 7 shots for 11 points and nine rebounds, the US frontcourt was just too much to handle.
Chelsea Gray took the initiative, cutting past the Japanese defense to create passing spaces and set up her teammates. She ended with 13 assists, just one short of the American Olympic record. It was part of an overall good ball movement game for the United States, which ended with 34 assists.
“What excites me is having such an unselfish group of really great players who don’t care who gets credit,” Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said. “I think our commitment to having the ball in the paint was special because sometimes you might bored of it and start jacking 3s.”
Team USA went chilly from the outside, hitting just one of its first 13 three-pointers, giving Japan’s outside shooters a chance to remain in the game. The Japanese made nine 3-pointers in the first half, keeping them within 10 points until late in the second quarter.
Sabrina Ionescu, in her first Olympic game, made three 3-pointers and had five assists while often finding Stewart, a New York Liberty teammate, in transition.
“She was very, very, very excited, and she was terrific,” Reeve recalled of Ionescu. “Her passing and transition, and her and Stew’s connection, was fun to watch.”
Maki Takada led the Japanese team with 22 points.
Who won women’s basketball USA vs. Japan?
The U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team defeats Japan in the first game. The United States women’s Olympic basketball team defeated Japan 102-76.
