Team USA is one of just two nations to have made it out of the group stage without a loss in the women’s basketball tournament the same way it’s been for more than 30 years. The U.S. women’s win streak that dates back to 1992 and covers nine Olympic Games and seven straight gold medals now heads into the knockout rounds, with the U.S. taking on Nigeria for the right to head to the semifinals and a guaranteed shot at a medal.
To close out pool play, the U.S. knocked off Germany 87-68 on Sunday while forcing 23 turnovers and allowing just three offensive rebounds. Nigera, meanwhile, enters the knockout stage with a 2-1 record, having collected wins over Australia and Canada and falling to France. It’ll take an Athenian effort for Nigeria to topple the U.S. in the semis the American team boasts eight players who were at one point the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Date: Wednesday, August 7
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Accor Arena | Paris, France
TV channel: USA Network
Streaming: Fubo, Peacock
Stay with Yahoo Sports for complete coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and live updates and highlights as the U.S. women’s basketball team takes on Nigeria.
Nigeria starts the second quarter on a 4-1 run, cuts the USA lead to 27-21.
One quarter is in the books. So far, this isn’t the runaway of the 100-46 USA win over Nigeria in qualifying. USA leads, 26-17.
Diana Taurasi is in off the bench. She quickly hit a transition three to cap an 8-0 USA run and extend the lead to 24-12.
Lebron James, Bam Adebayo and Devin Booker are on the sideline watching USA vs. Nigeria. The U.S. men have a semifinal against Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Thursday.
Devin Booker, Lebron James, and Bam Adebayo watching the Team USA Womens game vs Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/EcQF9WQNJK
CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) August 7, 2024
Jackie Young with a brief scare. Held her ankle in pain on the floor after a foul on a 3-point shot. Able to get up with help from her teammates and shoot her free throws. She missed 2 of 3. USA leads, 14-8.
USA has forced five Nigeria turnovers in the first five minutes. 6-0 run has USA up 10-4.
Breanna Stewart ends the short drought with a transition layup on a feed from Chelsea Gray. Nigera responds with layup from Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah on the other end. 4-4.
USA is stagnant after Wilson’s bucket on the opening possession. Four straight scoreless possessions. Game is tied at 2-2.
Jackie Young is in the starting lineup for USA after leading the team with 19 points off the bench against Germany in the group play finale.
Nigeria is the first men’s or women’s basketball team to advance to the knockout stage of the Olympics from Africa.
USA wins the opening tip, and A’ja Wilson gets the Americans on the board with an early layup.
We’re moments from tip of USA vs. Nigeria. USA beat Nigeria, 100-46 in qualifying.
USA’s starting lineup against Nigeria:
Switching up the starting 5️ for #USABWNT vs Nigeria. USA Network + Peacock#Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/SjQuYbaAw7
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 7, 2024
Napheesa CollierA’ja WilsonJackie YoungBreanna StewartChelsea Gray
Bercy Bound! #USABWNT vs Nigeria9:30 pm CEST/3:30 pm ET USA Network + Peacock#Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/OGWXdApqsH
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 7, 2024