LILLE, France — The United States women’s basketball team is likely to get stronger as the Olympics wear on, as it builds chemistry and gets reps playing together. But, in the meantime, it sure is a luxury to have superior size.
The Americans leaned into that advantage in their Olympic opener, bruising the smaller Japan team in a 102-76 victory in a rematch of the 2021 gold medal game in Tokyo. They are now 56-0 in the Olympics since 1992 as they take the first step toward winning their eighth consecutive gold.
Japan’s tallest player stands 6-foot-1, and Team USA has six players that height or taller. That differential was the defining aspect of the game.
Team USA racked up 64 points in the paint, repeatedly getting into positions for entry passes or offensive rebounds that punished the smaller opponent.
A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart took turns going to work in the interior. Wilson was relentless in looking for her shot and chasing loose balls, making 10 of 16 shots for 24 points and adding 13 rebounds, six of them coming on the offensive end. She also had four blocks.
“I had to play in my strength,”…
