Even outside the WNBA, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart still continue to dominate on the court. This time, though, the pair did just that for Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, prompting Paige Bueckers to be in awe.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the United States women’s basketball team dominated Japan 102-76 in their opening game. Las Vegas Aces’ Wilson led the way for Team USA, recording 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots. New York Liberty’s Stewart added 22 points as the Americans extended their Olympic winning streak to 56 games dating back to 1992.
The game was close for the first 17 minutes, with Japan only trailing 37-32. However, the US then closed the half on a 13-6 run to open up a double-digit lead. In the second half, the deeper and taller American squad pulled away, with Chelsea Gray making several nifty passes to Wilson for easy scores.
While the US struggled from the three-point line, making only 4-of-20 attempts, they dominated inside, outscoring Japan 64-22 in the paint and outrebounding them 56-27. Brittney Griner, playing in her first international tournament since returning from Russian imprisonment, had 11 points and 9 rebounds.
The victory kicked off the US’s quest for an unprecedented eighth straight Olympic gold medal. Japan, led by Maki Takada’s 24 points, fought valiantly but ultimately could not overcome the Americans’ size and depth advantage.
Paige Bueckers Reacts to A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart’s Team USA Dominance at 2024 Olympics Against Japan
After Team USA’s dominant win over Japan, different personalities gave their take on the said victory. Among them was UConn Huskies star Paige Bueckers in a tweet she posted on her official X account.
“The A’ja & Stewie frontcourt is unfair,” Bueckers tweeted.
Wilson’s dominance on the global stage isn’t something new since she’s averaging 27.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game for the Las Vegas Aces this season. For her part, Stewart is notching 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.5 blocks per contest in 23 games for the New York Liberty.
The pair’s impressive performance against Japan is but a taste of things to come. If they keep this up, Team USA will get the gold medal finish in the Olympics soon.
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