Breanna Stewart and the U.S. women’s basketball team secured their spot in the Olympic gold medal game by defeating Australia 85-64 in the semifinals on Friday, continuing their dominant run with a 60-game Olympic winning streak that began at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Stewart led a well-rounded offense, contributing to the Americans’ decisive victory. Reflecting on the team’s historic streak, Stewart said, “The streak is crazy. I mean, they just told me when I was doing TV that it was, like, before I was born that it kind of started, which is wild. It just goes to show those that have really paved the way and to create USA Basketball and what it is now. Tons of appreciation for that and knowing that when you represent this jersey and wear USA across your chest the standard is high and there really is nothing higher.”
Notable attendees at the game included Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, Kevin Durant, and Vanessa Bryant with her children.
In a strong semifinal performance, the U.S. took an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, allowing coach Cheryl Reeve to rotate her starters and keep them fresh for the upcoming final. “The group that’s going to be out there is going to be a little more ready and rested to be able to give everything they had,” Reeve stated.
The final presents a chance for Diana Taurasi to earn her sixth Olympic gold medal. After not starting for the first time since the 2004 Olympics, Taurasi entered the game late in the third quarter with the U.S. leading 63-40. She played just over six minutes and missed both of her shots.
The U.S. started strong against Australia but led by just 20-16 after the first quarter. A 12-0 run to start the second quarter helped the Americans pull away, leading 45-27 at halftime. Jackie Young added 14 points, Kahleah Copper 11, and A’ja Wilson 10 for the U.S.
Australia’s Isobel Borlase led her team with 11 points, while Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor each added 10. Despite featuring several WNBA players, Australia’s roster couldn’t match the depth and talent of the U.S. team, which includes 12 WNBA All-Stars.
The loss continues Australia’s struggles against the U.S. in Olympic competition. The Opals have never defeated the U.S. in the Olympics, losing in the gold medal games in 2000, 2004, and 2008, as well as in the semifinals in 1996 and 2012.
Australia coach Sandy Brondello acknowledged the challenge of facing the U.S., saying, “We had to play a perfect game today. I always say you got to believe that you can” beat the U.S. “But nine times out of 10, there’s one game where you maybe can get them on a bad day. And it wasn’t our best day here.”
Lauren Jackson, who has played in five of Australia’s Olympic losses to the U.S., praised the American team, saying, “America, they’re the goats for a reason, you know? They are full of superstars and I mean you look at the name on every single jersey out there and they are the best players in the world for a reason. They’re incredible.” Jackson played five minutes after sitting out the last two games and did not score. The 43-year-old, who retired in 2016 due to injuries, returned to the Opals in 2022 and helped them earn bronze at the World Cup. She hopes Australia can secure a medal in the upcoming game, as the Opals have done in four of her previous Olympic appearances.
The U.S. will now aim for another gold medal. “I’m so proud of us,” Reeve said. “You know, the evolution that we’ve made as a team. And I’m excited that we’ve got … to the last stand, if you will, in this campaign. (Now) see if we can get the gold.”
