London, UK – Remember that little hiccup Team USA had in the WNBA All-Star Game? Well, forget it. On Tuesday, our women’s basketball superheroes took the court in London and delivered an 84-57 beatdown to Germany that could be felt all the way to Berlin.
A’ja Wilson, the WNBA’s reigning monarch, strutted onto the court with the confidence of a queen surveying her realm. And why not? She owned it, racking up 19 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in just 25 minutes. By halftime, Wilson had already secured a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, just casually setting the stage for a basketball masterclass.
But it wasn’t the A’ja Wilson show alone. Breanna Stewart decided to join the fun, contributing 15 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Diana Taurasi, the seasoned vet eyeing her sixth Olympics, added five points, two rebounds, and two assists in her 16 minutes. Sure, Team USA’s shooting wasn’t exactly Instagram-worthy at 41.7% from the field, but who cares when your defense is tighter than security at a Beyoncé concert? They held Germany to a dismal 29.4% shooting and forced 17 turnovers. Yes, 17 – as in the number of times Germany lost the ball and probably their dignity.
When it came to transition, Germany might as well have been on a leisurely stroll while Team USA was in a high-speed chase scene from a buddy cop movie. The Americans outpaced them with 25 fast-break points to Germany’s measly five. It was like watching the Road Runner zoom past Wile E. Coyote – if Wile E. had a basketball and no clue what to do with it.
The Unstoppable Juggernaut: USA Women’s Basketball
Let’s rewind a bit. The USA women’s team hasn’t just been good; they’ve been a basketball juggernaut. We’re talking 55 straight Olympic victories dating back to 1996 in Atlanta. Their last Olympic loss was in 1992 in Barcelona. Most of the current players were barely learning to dribble back then, yet here they are, dominating like it’s child’s play.
What’s next for these hardwood heroines? Paris, baby! First up is Japan in the Olympic group play, followed by Belgium on August 1, and a rematch with Germany on August 4. If Tuesday’s game was any preview, Team USA’s path to gold looks smoother than a freshly Zambonied ice rink.
Germany, featuring WNBA talents like Leonie Fiebich and the Sabally sisters, Satou and Nyara, never really stood a chance. Team USA jumped out to a 22-9 lead from the first whistle and never looked back, keeping a comfortable cushion all the way to the final buzzer.
So, if anyone’s thinking Team USA might be off their game, think again. Paris better brace itself because these women are coming in hot, and they’ve got gold in their crosshairs.
