Scoreboard
USA 86, Japan 69
What went down
Team USA relied on their size and a strong finishing kick to outlast Japan and go up 2-0 in the Tokyo Olympics.
A'ja Wilson once again led the women's team with 20 points to go alongside 10 rebounds. She also had three assists and three blocks. Breanna Stewart likewise had an all-around game, pouring in 15 points, 13 boards, six dimes, and two rejections.
It was literally a tall task for Japan in facing the gold medal favorites. The host nation's lineup came in with an average height of 5-foot-9, considerably smaller in comparison to the USA's 6-foot-1 average. Right from the start, the frontline of Wilson, Stewart, and starting center 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner proved to be the difference. Griner finished with 15 points and five rebounds as the tallest player on the court.
To counter the height disadvantage, the Japanese opted to step out and outshoot the Americans. The plan initially worked in the first quarter as Japan was able to take a 30-28 lead thanks to their 3-point shooting. However, USA's height, skill, and experience eventually wore down its opponent.
Team USA kept Japan at a comfortable distance, with the lead always flirting in double digits for most of the game. By the fourth quarter, the advantage ballooned to 20 points.
Japan shot 34.6 percent from the field in the loss, including 10-for-38 from downtown. Maki Takada had a team-high 15 points followed by 12 points from Saki Hayashi. The host team was able to force 17 turnovers but didn’t make enough shots on offense.
The USA, which leads Group B, faces France on Monday in its last game of the group phase.
Big-time baller
Jewell Loyd was superb off the bench for Team USA. In 27 minutes, she fired 12 points on a pristine 5-for-6 clip, powered by two triples. She also added four rebounds, two assists, and a steal. This was a bounce-back game of sorts for the Seattle Storm guard after scoring just eight points on 3-for-9 shooting versus Nigeria.
What she said
Team USA coach Dawn Staley congratulated the four-woman crew of Stefanie Dolson, Jackie Young, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Plum for winning gold in the inaugural 3x3 tournament.
Congrats @usab3x3 @Graytness_15 @bigmamastef @JackieYoung3 @Kelseyplum10 @karalawson20 on winning the first GOLD medal of 3x3 competition! Way to represent ladies!! U S A! U S A!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 28, 2021
Did you see that?
The men's team came out in support of the women's team. Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, and the rest of the squad face Czech Republic on Saturday.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT showing love at the game 🤞 pic.twitter.com/5jLXGwvQeq
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 30, 2021
