PARIS — The U.S. women’s basketball team, led by WNBA two-time MVPs A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, is facing Nigeria in the quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Americans are seeking an unprecedented eighth consecutive gold medal, and have not lost a game at the Olympics since 1992. Diana Taurasi is also trying to become the first Olympic basketball player to win six gold medals.
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USA women’s basketball takes the court for warmups
The Americans took the court for warmups around 2:30 p.m. ET. They tip off against Nigeria at 3:30 p.m. ET.
USA basketball game today
The Americans face Nigeria in the quarterfinals today in Paris. USA Network is airing the game against Nigeria, Peacock is live streaming it.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
US women’s basketball schedule
July 29:USA 102, Japan 76
Aug. 1: USA 87, Belgium 74
Aug. 4: USA 87, Germany 68
Aug. 7: USA vs. Nigeria, 3:30 p.m. ET
Aug. 9: semifinals, 11:30 a.m. ET and 3 p.m. ET
Aug. 11: bronze medal game, 5:30 a.m. ET
Aug. 11: gold medal game, 9:30 a.m. ET
Brittney Griner more grateful than ever in Paris Olympics
She knows what you see — the goofy grin, the 6-foot-9 big kid who loves skateboarding and off-roading, the intimidating shot-blocker on the basketball court — is only a fraction of the truth.
To outsiders it looks like Griner has moved on quickly from her 10-month detention in Russian custody, a terrifying and isolating stretch of time that would’ve broken most people. When she poses for photos with fans, easily banks in an eight-footer, it looks like things are back to normal. But they’re not, and she’s not.
“It’s always with me, and there’s definitely moments of like, oh wow this could be totally different — I could be seeing this beautiful view through bars,” Griner said Saturday from USA practice. “It doesn’t go away. It makes you appreciate everything a little bit more too.”
Breanna Stewart-Sabrina Ionescu connection at Olympics
When she’s sprinting up the floor in transition, Breanna Stewart knows Sabrina Ionescu is looking for her.
The two have played together so long – nearly 70 games with the New York Liberty over two seasons, plus 17 games together on Team USA – that their knowledge of the other is practically intrinsic. Ionescu knows where Stewart wants the ball. Stewart knows which passing lane Ionescu prefers when she wants to fire an assist Stewart’s way.
The obvious magnetism between teammates like Stewart and Ionescu can’t be faked or developed overnight. It comes organically, built over hundreds of practices with each other. And it’s giving the Americans a big advantage as they go for their eighth consecutive gold medal in women’s basketball.
‘It’s really helpful,’ said U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve. ‘You can see when Sab is running the flor, she’s looking for Stewie. Her eyes are up, she knows when Stewie’s cutting (to the basket). Synergy with your (WNBA) teammates, that’s a natural thing.’
USA women’s basketball roster
The U.S. women’s basketball roster is made up of eight WNBA champions, three WNBA MVPs and five WNBA Rookies of the Year.
Guards: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Diana Taurasi, Jackie Young
Forwards: Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier
Center: Brittney Griner
Diana Taurasi Olympic gold medals
Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) are the only two American women’s basketball players to win five Olympic gold medals. Taurasi can become the first to earn six gold medals in Paris.
USA women’s basketball prediction vs Nigeria
Nigeria has been the feel-good story of Olympic women’s basketball, but that ends tonight against the Americans’ dynasty of depth. Ezinne Kalu has been playing great for Nigeria but being defended by Chelsea Gray and company is a different beast. Team USA should run away with this one, 101-72.
A’ja Wilson’s basketball dominance is driven by joy
A’ja Wilson will keep piling up double-doubles, pushing the boundaries of what a forward in this game can do and, if all goes according to plan, lead the U.S. women’s basketball team to a record eighth straight Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Maybe the crowning of the latest U.S. dynasty, led by an exceptional talent, will make you tune in. If not, Wilson figures, that’s your loss.
“Forwards, centers, whatever you want to call us, we don’t get the love we should,” Wilson told USA TODAY Sports. “But I don’t pay it any mind because the true fans, the ones who really understand and love the game, they understand how forwards and centers are a huge part. So yeah, I feel like we’re under appreciated. But I love my position.”
Still, the best player in the world knows there’s likely to be more eyeballs than ever on women’s basketball this summer. She can’t wait to put on a show.
USA women’s basketball Olympic gold medals
USA women’s basketball has medaled in every Olympics it has participated, winning a total of 11 Olympic medals, including nine gold, one sliver and one bronze. Here’s how the U.S. women have performed since 1976, when women’s basketball debuted at the Montreal Olympics:
2020, Tokyo: Gold (90–75 win over Japan)
2016, Rio: Gold (101–72 win over Spain)
2012, London: Gold (86-50 win over France)
2008, Athens: Gold (92–65 win Australia)
2004, Athens: Gold (74–63 over Australia)
2000, Sydney: Gold (76–54 over Australia)
1996, Atlanta: Gold (111–87 win over Brazil)
1992, Barcelona: Bronze (88–74 win over Cuba in bronze medal game)
1988, Seoul: Gold (77–70 win over Yugoslavia)
1984, Los Angeles: Gold (85–55 win over South Korea)
1980, Moscow: USA boycotted Olympics due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
1976, Canada: Silver (83–67 loss to Czechoslovakia)
France vs Germany basketball game
The French women’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Olympics Wednesday with an 84-71 quarterfinal win over Germany, and will take on Belgium next. Given the major home court advantage France has here — Bercy Arena is packed with locals and they’re loud — there is no question they will be able to push the Americans if they meet the U.S. in the final (and Diana Taurasi said as much before the Games started).
France is led by two players WNBA fans will be familiar with. Marine Johannes (24 points vs. Germany) and Gabby Williams (15 points, six rebounds) have played terrific in these Olympics, and their pro experience means they won’t back down against A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and company. if they play each other for gold.
Olympic basketball scores today
There are four women’s games on today’s slate.
Australia 85, Serbia 67
Belgium 79, Spain 66
France 84, Germany 71
United States vs. Nigeria, 3:30 p.m. ET
Olympic basketball bracket
Here is the full women’s basketball bracket for the Paris Olympics.
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