A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart spent the majority of their WNBA careers dueling each other, creating a dynamic rivalry that spans for nearly six years now.
But once the two superstars are in the same team, they are virtually unstoppable.
Wilson registered a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double, Stewart added 15 markers, and USA Women capped off their pre-Olympic tour with a 84-57 shellacking of Germany at the O2 Arena in London.
Bounce Back W.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 23, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/vDo6x1DpN6
The Las Vegas Ace superstar imposed her might all-game long while shooting on an efficient 54% clip to go along with two steals and a couple of blocks in 25 minutes.
An A1 performance.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 23, 2024
19 pts, 14 reb, 2 blk, 2 stl
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x @_ajawilson22 pic.twitter.com/0JjLKqts8p
Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion and Finals MVP, added six boards and five assists as the twin towers were too much to handle for the world no. 19 Germans.
“Playing alongside A’ja [Wilson], we understand how we can have a tandem and a two-man action together,” Stewart said.
“And giving each other space to work. We know we can space the floor, play inside-out, and it’s hard to match up for any other post player.”
After suffering a 117-109 defeat against the WNBA All-Stars in their last exhibition match, the Americans bounced back convincingly in their final tune-up match ahead of Paris.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi opened the game with a three-pointer with 9:23 seconds left and it was basically all USA Basketball Women from that point on.
Dee for three to get us started.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 23, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/ylnPzUzCAv
They built their first double-digit lead of the game when Wilson hit a one-footed turnaround jumper for an early 15-4 advantage with 3:57 left in the opening frame en route to a wire-to-wire 27-point beating.
In Europe, they just call it "step".
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 23, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/pPVjpPThdD
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd added 11 points off the bench while Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas did a little bit of everything with eight markers, seven boards and four dimes.
Team USA outrebounded their opponents, 51-43, and shot the ball better on top of moving the ball better to start things off. They 15 made shots on 14 assists alone in the first half.
On the attack & leading the pack.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 23, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/nJ1XMLjjCH
Luisa Geiselsoder paced Germany, who will be making their first appearance in the Olympics, with 13 points while Leonie Fiebich added 12 markers.
The United States, who are gunning an unprecedented eight consecutive Olympic gold, will open their campaign against Japan in Group C before facing the Germans again in their final group match.
