SAITAMA, JAPAN — The U.S. women won, as usual. It just wasn’t in the dominant fashion that the Americans are accustomed to.
The winning streak for the world’s top-ranked team is now 50 games and counting in Olympic competition. A’ja Wilson scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her debut as the Americans beat Nigeria 81-72 on Tuesday in the opener for both teams.
It was the first time that a team had come within single digits of the U.S. since a four-point win over Russia in the semifinals of 2004 Athens Games.
Sue Bird has been a part of the past five Olympics and wasn’t too concerned by the final margin.