Team USA Women's Basketball Downs Nigeria in 59th-Straight Olympic Game Win to Reach Semifinal

Mar. 15, 2025

A’ja Wilson during Team USA’s game against Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Photo:DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images

DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images

With their 59th-straight win in anOlympicgame, Team USA women’s basketball is inching closer to their 10th gold.

The game was closer than Team USA likely would’ve preferred, though, for much of the first half. Nigeria’s strong defense kept the score close through the first quarter, until the U.S. pulled away just before halftime.

The U.S. — made up of WNBA superstars — extended their lead in the second half, at one point nearly doubling up Nigeria on the scoreboard. But Nigeria always kept it close.

Along with Wilson and Young, teammateBrittney Grinerwas strong with the ball, as was Breanna Stewart.

“Our starts have to be great because that team on the other end, they’re trying to take our heads off,” Wilson, 27, told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the game with a laugh. “When they want something they’re greedy for it, so we knew coming in that we had to have a great start and punch first, just because, in this time, it’s like March Madness, you never know what happens, and you always have to keep your guard up. So I’m glad we got into the flow of things.”

Diana Taurasi faces Nigeria in the semifinal.Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

“We’ve won — I don’t know how many gold medals in a row — it’s not going to win this tournament. We have to come out and play hard,” Taurasi, 42, said. “Nigeria, Australia in two days. These teams are hard, they’ve played together for a long time. We’ve been together for two and a half weeks and we’re trying to figure it out. And it’s always been our strength to be unselfish. Next man up, next woman up, to win a gold medal.”

LeBron and Savannah James.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

LeBron Jamesalso walked in the arena hand-in-hand with his wife Savannah James, and sat with fellow NBA and Team USA men’s basketball star Bam Adebayo. LeBron sported a bandage over his left eye, after he was elbowed in the face the night before during themen’s team’s win against Braziland needed stitches. His former Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade was also in attendance, alongside his wife, actress Gabrielle Union.

The Team USA women’s basketball team will next play Australia in their semifinal game on Aug. 9.

source: people.com