The U.S. women's basketball team advanced to their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal game with an 85-64 victory over Australia on Friday behind the leadership of the New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart, who scored 16 points. The Americans, who extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 consecutive games, will face either France or Belgium on Sunday. A win Sunday would give Diana Taurasi a record six gold medals.
Dominating Performance
The U.S. jumped out to an early lead on Australia, but only led 20-16 after the first quarter. The Americans put the game away in the second quarter, starting the period with a 12-0 run. The U.S. led 45-27 at the half.
"I think we just continue to play unselfish basketball, making sure that we're moving the ball, that we're finding best shot," Stewart told NBC Olympics' Mike Tirico. "Really starting with our defense and scoring as much as we can in transition, knowing that we have depth that nobody else does in this tournament, and making sure that we got where we wanted to be. Now we have one more game to get the gold medal."
A Team Effort
Stewart's performance was crucial, but the U.S. victory was a team effort. Jackie Young added 14 points, Kahleah Copper 11 and A’ja WIlson 10 for the Americans. Isobel Borlase led Australia with 11, and Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor each had 10.
Reaching New Heights
Stewart, who also had six rebounds and five assists, spoke about the team's incredible winning streak.
"It's absolutely incredible and I don't think I could put into words the fact that what we've done with USA basketball, with this national team, 60 straight wins," Stewart said after the win. "But this is the standard, when I first put that USA jersey on, I know that it was gold really or bust. And making sure that you know every time on the court, off the court, the way we prepare ourselves, that we're trying to be the best we can be and reach new heights."
The Road to Gold
The U.S. is trying to become the first team to win eight consecutive gold medals, breaking the tie with the American men's program that won seven in a row from 1936-68. A win on Sunday would make history.
The U.S. women's Olympic basketball team is headed to the semifinals of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games after battling to an 88-74 quarterfinals victory over Nigeria. Team USA women's basketball games have been one of the biggest draws of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, with sports superstars like LeBron James, Devin Booker and Katie Ledecky sitting courtside.
How to Watch the Gold Medal Game
A Look at Team USA's Roster
The U.S. women's basketball team is composed of 12 WNBA players:
- Napheesa Collier (Forward, Minnesota Lynx)
- Kahleah Copper (Guard/Forward, Phoenix Mercury)
- Chelsea Gray (Guard, Las Vegas Aces)
- Brittney Griner (Center, Phoenix Mercury)
- Sabrina Ionescu (Guard, New York Liberty)
- Jewell Loyd (Guard, Seattle Storm)
- Kelsey Plum (Guard, Las Vegas Aces)
- Breanna Stewart (Forward, New York Liberty)
- Diana Taurasi (Guard, Phoenix Mercury)
- Alyssa Thomas (Forward, Connecticut Sun)
- A’ja Wilson (Forward, Las Vegas Aces)
- Jackie Young (Guard, Las Vegas Aces)
The Legacy of Team USA
Team USA took home the gold medal at the Tokyo Summer Games after defeating event hosts Japan in the final. It was Team USA's seventh consecutive women's basketball gold medal. The team is looking to extend that legacy with a historic eighth consecutive gold medal win.
The U.S. women's basketball team's dominance is a testament to the talent, dedication, and teamwork of the players. They have consistently been one of the most dominant teams in international basketball, and they are looking to continue their winning ways in Paris.
