US defeats Japan in Olympic women’s basketball opening game

LILLE, France — The U.S. women’s basketball team will likely get stronger as the Olympics progress, as it builds chemistry and gets reps together. But in the meantime, having superior size is certainly a luxury.

The Americans took advantage of that advantage in their opening Olympic match, beating the smaller Japanese team 102-76 in a rematch of the 2021 gold medal match in Tokyo. They are now 56-0 in the Olympics since 1992 as they take the first step toward winning their eighth straight gold.

Japan’s tallest player is 6’1″ and Team USA has six players that height or taller. That difference was the defining aspect of the match.

Team USA scored 64 points in the paint, repeatedly getting into positions for entry passes or offensive rebounds, punishing the smaller opponent.

A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart took turns to work the interior. Wilson was tireless in finding her shot and chasing down loose balls, making 10 of 16 shots for 24 points and adding 13 rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end. She also had four blocks.

“I had to play to my strengths,” Wilson said. “And I think in these types of games you have to bat first because we always say the most physical team usually wins.

“So we had to come out and establish ourselves at an all-time high, just on the stage that we’re on. I think we did a good job.”

Stewart was able to generate easy looks by running the floor and getting free in transition by just barely eluding Japanese defenders, one of her trademarks. She made 11 of 15 shots for 22 points and eight rebounds. She also had two blocks.

“It’s great playing with A’ja,” Stewart said. “She and I just keep creating this duo of two women on the court — finding each other, running the floor and really making it tough for the other team.”

Add to that Brittney Griner, who hit 5 of 7 shots and had 11 points and nine rebounds, and you get the sense that the American frontcourt was simply too tough.

Chelsea Gray was the initiator, cutting through the Japanese defense to open passing lanes and set up her teammates. She finished with 13 assists, just one shy of the U.S. Olympic record. It was part of an overall strong ball movement game, as the U.S. finished with 34 assists.

“What I’m excited about is we have such a selfless group of really great players that don’t care who gets the credit,” said Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve. “I think our dedication to having the ball in the paint was special because sometimes you can get tired of it and start shooting 3s.”

Team USA was cold on the outside, making only one of its first 13 3-pointers, briefly giving the outside shooting specialists from Japan a chance to stay in the game. The Japanese made nine 3-pointers in the first half and stayed within 10 points until late in the second quarter.

Sabrina Ionescu, playing in her first Olympic game, made three 3-pointers and had five assists while repeatedly finding Stewart, her New York Liberty teammate, in transition.

“She was very, very, very excited and she was amazing,” Reeve said of Ionescu. “Her passing and transition, and the connection between her and Stew, was fun to watch.”

Japan was led by Maki Takada with 22 points.