Team USA beat Belgium 87-74, powered by their unrivaled frontcourt of Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, who combined for 49 points.
When the U.S. and Belgium women’s basketball teams last faced off — in an Olympic qualifying game in February — it came down to the final possession. Breanna Stewart tipped it in to win the game for the U.S., securing a 81-79 win.
This time, it wasn’t nearly as close — while Belgium cut the deficit to five in the second half, the U.S. effectively responded to every run, ultimately coming away with an 87-74 win in Lille, France.
The win marked the U.S. women’s basketball program’s 57th straight Olympic games victory, an unrivaled streak.
Here’s what stood out from USA Basketball’s second win of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Last time the U.S. and Belgium’s teams faced off, Stewart hit the game-winner. But, she otherwise struggled in that one, scoring just 8 points on 3-9 shooting.
That was not the case this time around. Stewart, a two-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP, hit her first six shots of the night and finished with 26 points on 8-14 shooting, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.
A’ja Wilson was equally dominant, scoring 23 points on 9-17 shooting, to go along with 13 rebounds (5 offensive) and 3 steals.
For the second consecutive game, Olympic opponents had no answer for the Team USA front court, a duo that’s collectively won four MVPs and four championships.
“We want to control the points in the paint,” Stewart said in her walk-off interview with NBC. “We know that we have that size advantage — making sure we get multiple possessions, and they get one.”
Nine years into her professional career, Alyssa Thomas is making her first Olympic appearance — and she’s making up for lost time. Thomas was a force in this one, finishing with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block in 16 minutes.
When she was first named to the team, Thomas reflected on how the program’s commitment to defense ultimately compelled her to join.
“I don’t think USA really — in the past — was fit for the style of play that I had, just watching the type of players that had played,” Thomas said in June, soon after being named to the team . “And I also didn’t think it was my turn yet. There’s so many players that don’t make the team who are better ahead of you in that position. So, I’m 32 and I’m getting my first chance at it. A lot of it is just being patient and waiting for your opportunity.”
In the first half, Thomas was a major reason why the U.S. was able to pull ahead. The game was tied at end of the first quarter, but Thomas provided a boost on both ends of the floor in the second quarter.
“You have felt Alyssa Thomas’s impact in this game since the moment she stepped on the court,” said LaChina Robinson, one of game’s NBC commentators. “Her physicality, the level of aggressiveness, and the fact that she can do multiple things — her versatility defensively and offensively is so great.”
In the end, Thomas’s force was one of many factors Belgium had no answer for.
Belgium’s Emma Meesseman is probably the best basketball player in the Olympics not on Team USA, and she showed that in this one. Meesseman led Belgium with 24 points on 11-19 shooting, and was the primary reason Belgium was in the game at all.
Teammate Antonia Delaere added 16 points, and shot 4-7 from three. Mystics rookie Julie Vanloo, the only active WNBA player on Belgium’s roster, added 11 points, but shot just 5-15 from the field.
Still, it wasn’t enough to counter the U.S., as seven American players scored at least 6 points, including Jewell Loyd (8 points), Sabrina Ionescu (6 points), Napheesa Collier (7 points), and Brittney Griner (7 points). Team USA continued their superb ball distribution, dishing out 25 assists on 29 field goals. They also out-rebounded Belgium 49 to 27.
The win puts the U.S. in first place in Pool C, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
1. United States (2-0)
2. Germany (2-0)
3. Belgium (0-2)
4. Japan (0-2)
With the win, the U.S. improved to 2-0 in Olympic play. Next up, they’ll face Germany, on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. When the two countries faced off in exhibition play last week, it was a blowout — the U.S. won 84-57. But, Germany’s beaten both Belgium and Japan by double figures, and has also secured a spot in the quarterfinals. Saturday’s game will mark the last pool play game before single-elimination action begins.
