The U.S. frontcourt could’ve just stood in the paint, put their hands up, and called for the ball.
Naturally, they didn’t, but they exploited their size with fadeaway shots, drives downhill and breakouts in transition as they towered over Japan, whose tallest player only stood at 6-foot-1.
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart ruled the paint, outdoing Japan’s outside shooting, for a dominant 102-76 U.S. win in Monday’s opening Olympic group stage match, in what was a rematch from Tokyo final in 2021
The U.S. outdid Japan with 67 percent shooting from the field and controlled the glass with 56 rebounds against Japan’s 27.
Wilson led the team with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds. Stewart quickly followed with 22 points and Brittany Griner had 11.
Japan was likely hoping to get revenge over the foe that beat them for a gold medal in their home country in 2021, but with Griner at 6-foot-9, Wilson at 6-foot-5, and Stewart at 6-foot-4, there was no making up height or points with 3-pointers after the U.S. adjusted to shut down Japan’s game plan.
The victory continued a 56-game Olympic undefeated streak for the U.S. and quest to win an eighth straight gold medal (10th overall).
Every U.S. team member had at least one basket in the rout, including Kahleah Copper, who went down with an injury after a big collision in the second quarter, but returned in the fourth.
The U.S. started with some communication issues, causing turnovers and missed chances. However, they found a rhythm in the second quarter.
Diana Taurasi passed to Griner inside, but with no opening, she found Stewart for a reverse layup.
On the following possession, Stewart got Griner in transition underneath the basket for an easy hoop.
Stewart then sprinted down the court for a layup on a fast break, capping an 8-0 run to lead 30-18 with 7:34 left in the second quarter.
It led to a Japan timeout, but Mai Yamamoto came out on the other side with a 3-pointer over Griner.
Japan started to claw back with catch-and-shoot chances, coming within six points with less than three minutes before the half.
Japan had nine 3-pointers in the first half, but the U.S. managed to limit those shots to only four from beyond the arc starting in the third quarter, and the U.S. led by 22 going into the fourth.
The U.S. will continue their group phase play on Thursday, Aug. 1 against Belgium at 3 p.m. ET.