The U.S. women's basketball team might have won by double-digits at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday, beating Belgium 87-75, but make no mistake: This was a tight contest. And it’s exactly what the Americans needed.
A banged up Belgium squad — the Belgians are missing one of their best players in guard Julie Allemand — pushed the U.S. in every way imaginable at State Pierre Mauroy in their second pool play game, hitting big shots, muscling away rebounds and generally just disrupting the Americans’ flow.
But each time Belgium cut it close, pulling within four or six or even leading briefly in the first half, the depth of Team USA proved to be the difference.
A long two-pointer from Napheesa Collier. A perfectly placed pass from Sabrina Ionescu. A timely block from Breanna Stewart. A bucket inside from A’ja Wilson. A tough offensive board and putback from Alyssa Thomas. And so on and so forth.
Team USA was led again by Stewart (26 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) and Wilson (23 points, 13 rebounds, three steals) as it continues it quest for a record eighth consecutive gold medal.
It was a quiet night for Brittney Griner (seven points, three rebounds), playing abroad for the first time these Olympics since she was released from a Russian prison in December 2022.
Griner said Thursday was emotional for her after learning that a major prisoner swap had taken place, bringing American journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan home to the U.S
Once again the Americans again shot just OK from 3 (5-of-14, 36%) and were uncharacteristically sloppy for stretches (17 turnovers) but dominated the boards 49-27. A string of steals midway through the fourth quarter helped the Americans stretch their lead to 14 and they held on from there.
This was a terrific for us. No doubt we’re gonna be in this situation again and hopefully we can handle it just as well.”
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