The USA women’s basketball team, considered the top contenders for the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, kicked off their campaign with an impressive victory over Japan, securing a 102-76 win on Monday.
Leading the charge for the U.S. team were A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, who showcased their dominance on the court. Wilson contributed 24 points, while Stewart added 22 points to the team's tally. In addition to their scoring prowess, both players displayed exceptional defensive skills, with Wilson recording four blocks and Stewart tallying three.
Notably, Brittney Griner made a remarkable return to international competition after her recent detention in Russia. Coming off the bench, Griner delivered a solid performance, shooting 5-of-7 from the field to score 11 points. She also made significant contributions on the boards with nine rebounds and dished out three assists.
Guards Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum also made valuable contributions off the bench, each adding 11 points to the team's total score.
Looking ahead, the United States team is set to face Germany on August 4 at 11:15 a.m. ET as they aim to maintain their winning momentum in the tournament.