USA Women's Team Wins Olympic Opener

The U.S. women's basketball team, led by A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Brittney Griner, dominated Japan in their Olympic opener with a 102-76 victory, marking the start of their quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal. Wilson scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Stewart added 22 points. The U.S. capitalized on their significant size advantage, securing 56 rebounds compared to Japan's 27, and showcasing a strong interior game despite only hitting 4 of 20 from beyond the arc. Japan's three-point shooting kept the game close for the first half, but the U.S. pulled away in the third quarter. Diana Taurasi, aiming for a record sixth gold medal, noted the unique challenges posed by Japan's fast-paced, three-point-heavy playstyle. The U.S. now holds a 56-game Olympic winning streak dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games.