If there’s one country that follows a “there’s no I in team” motto, it’s the United States, and Team USA’s women proved that today against Team Japan in their opening match for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was an incredible showing of passing perfection through the paint and around the arch. Of course, what mattered most was that these assists were leading to buckets. Japan put up a great fight despite what the 102-76 score says. They knocked down threes left and right, but the US just kept pouring on the points.
Chelsea Gray Hits Every Target
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If you’re looking for an example of a dime pass, look no further than Chelsea Gray, who gave a great no-look pass to Breanna Stewert on a cut to the rim. This single assist described the entire game. There was a combination of 34 assists, and Gray contributed 13 of them. She’ll be a major factor in every single game she plays. She only had two points, but this stat means nothing when she’s providing her perfect ball movement for her team. She’s the definition of a team player and that is something everyone loves to see.
The Las Vegas Aces guard is currently averaging 4.7 assists this WNBA season. In the 2022-23 campaign, she averaged 7.3. She was chosen to play in this Olympics for this reason. She’s not a big point provider anymore, as she once was in her earlier seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. Watching her pass and control the team’s movement is a thing of beauty though.
Wilson and Stewart Deadly Duo
A’ja Wilson has been on a record-breaking tear this WNBA season, and she’s continuing her success on the international stage. Today, she had 24 points and 13 rebounds giving her an Olympic double-double. She also brought her team four assists and four blocks. It was an unstoppable performance as Japan struggled to contain her on every section of the court. Wilson was snatching rebounds over the heads of the opposition every chance she got.
Breanna Stewart followed right behind the center with 22 points and eight rebounds almost having her own double-double. To follow, she had three assists and three blocks. These two towering players made it nearly impossible for Japan to get inside the paint. They were both locked in and if Wilson and Stewart continue this, there won’t be a single team who can contain them.
A Big Time Bench
The assist-giving continued on the bench with them totaling 13 together to match Gray. Sabrina Ionescu had five of those assists to go along with 11 points. When big-time players share the ball, the game becomes a lot easier. Kelsey Plum and Brittney Griner both had three assists and 11 points making the bench a lethal unit.
Every single player scored on this United States team once again showing why they are a true team. While Team Japan had some heavy hitters in the scoring column, the bench struggled to bring anything to the table. Maki Takada was the lead scorer and came off the bench, but she was the main source of fuel for them going 10-11 in the field and 2-3 from three. Mai Yamamoto was also hot from three going 5-11.
These three-point barrages and bench boosters didn’t do it for Team Japan, though. Viewers knew by halftime who was coming home with this win. Team USA is on a journey towards its eighth gold medal in a row, which would be record-breaking. A team would need to have the best game of its life to put a stop to this one. It’s looking like the 2024 Paris Olympics will be a great one for the United States.
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