Team USA is one of only two nations to have made it through the group stage without losing a single game in the women’s basketball tournament, a feat that has been the case for more than 30 years. The U.S.’s winning streak, which dates back to 1992 and spans nine Olympics and seven consecutive gold medals, now heads to the round of 16, where the U.S. will face Nigeria for the right to advance to the semifinals and a guaranteed chance at a medal.
To close out the group stage, the United States eliminated Germany 87-68 on Sunday, forcing 23 turnovers and allowing just three offensive rebounds. Nigeria, meanwhile, enters the knockout stage with a 2-1 record, having won against Australia and Canada and lost to France. It will take an Athenian effort for Nigeria to topple the United States in the semifinals — the U.S. team has eight players who were at one point the first overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Date: Wednesday August 7th
Time: 3:30 PM ET | 12:30 PM PT
Or: Accor Arena | Paris, France
TV channel: USA Network
Streaming: Fubo, Peacock
Stay with Yahoo Sports for complete coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics, plus live updates and highlights as the U.S. women’s basketball team takes on Nigeria.
Live22 updates
The USA has a 59% to 40% advantage in field goals and a 19-13 advantage in rebounds. The USA has forced 11 Nigerian turnovers that have led to 13 points at the other end.
A’ja Wilson was held scoreless in the first quarter after scoring the game’s first basket. She helped lead the second quarter and had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists at halftime.
Breanna Stewart led the way with 13 points, including a three-pointer in the final moments of the half. She shot 5 of 7 from the floor and 2 of 3 from three.
It won’t be a repeat of the U.S.’s 56-point win over Nigeria in qualifying. But the U.S. is in complete control at halftime. The U.S. leads 52-33 at the break thanks to a big run to close out the second quarter. Nigeria was up 31-27 before the U.S. ended the half on a 21-6 run.
A’ja Wilson is in fine form. She scored eight points in the second quarter and the USA leads 47-31 at the end of the second quarter. Not long ago, the lead was 31-27.
The U.S. bench is doing the job so far. The U.S. has an 18-2 advantage in bench points. The U.S. leads, 40-29.
A’ja Wilson scored back-to-back baskets for her first points since the opening basket of the game. The United States’ lead rose to 35-27.
The USA scores 71% of its 2-point attempts but allows Nigeria to score 53% inside the arc. Nigeria remains close to the score approaching the middle of the second quarter. The USA leads 31-27.
Nigeria started the second quarter with a 4-1 score and reduced the United States’ lead to 27-21.
A quarter is already over. So far, this is not the USA’s 100-46 victory over Nigeria in qualifying. The USA leads 26-17.
Diana Taurasi came on as a substitute. She quickly hit a three-pointer in transition to cap an 8-0 run for the USA and extend the lead to 24-12.
LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker are on the sidelines watching the United States-Nigeria game. The Americans will play a semifinal against Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Thursday.
Jackie Young had a brief scare. She hurt her ankle after being fouled on a 3-point shot. She was able to get up with the help of her teammates and shoot her free throws. She missed 2 of 3. The USA leads 14-8.
The United States forced five Nigerian turnovers in the first five minutes. The 6-0 run gave the United States a 10-4 lead.
Breanna Stewart ends the short drought with a transition layup off a pass from Chelsea Gray. Nigera answers with a layup from Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah at the other end. 4-4.
USA stagnates after Wilson’s basket on the first possession. Four consecutive possessions without a score. The game is tied 2-2.
Jackie Young is in the starting lineup for the United States after leading the team with 19 points off the bench against Germany in the group stage finale.
Nigeria are the first men’s or women’s basketball team to qualify for the knockout stage of the Olympics from Africa.
The United States wins the opening kickoff and A’ja Wilson opens the scoring for the Americans with an early layup.
We are just moments away from the start of the USA vs Nigeria match. USA beat Nigeria, 100-46 in qualifying.
