Team USA women's basketball defeated Team Germany 87-68 on Sunday as the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris continue. Las Vegas Aces stars A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young led the way throughout the game. Brittney Griner, meanwhile, added six points, four rebounds, and two blocks while coming off the bench. Germany coach Lisa Thomaidis used Griner as an example to explain the USA's impressive amount of depth.
"The athleticism and the skill level they can bring in off the bench, I mean you're bringing Brittney Griner off the bench," Thomaidis said, via Brian Windhorst of ESPN. "I mean that's just, that's just another level. So yeah I mean they're the best team in the world for a reason. But it was a great game for us. I thought we showed some good things and flashes and some other things that we need to really clean up and be better."
Germany put up a fight in the defeat but the USA ultimately emerged victorious. Team USA plans on winning the gold medal, as they feature the best all-around roster in women's basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics. They will deal with challenges but with stars such as Griner available off the bench, one has to imagine that the USA feels especially confident about their current situation.
Brittney Griner's immense impact on Team USA
Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, happens to be one of the best players in the league. The 33-year-old was selected to her ninth WNBA All-Star Game in 2024. She is currently averaging 18.6 points per game on 55.8 percent field goal shooting. Griner is also recording 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per outing.
Again, Team USA has no shortage of talent. A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray and Napheesa Collier are among the stars leading the roster. Some controversy emerged when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were left off the Olympic roster. Fortunately for Team USA women's basketball, though, they feature more than enough talent to find success despite playing without the star rookies.
Griner's impact off the bench certainly helps matters. She tends to play a big role in helping on the boards while protecting the basket. Griner can also score inside the paint at a respectable level.
Griner and Team USA will continue their pursuit of a gold medal at the Olympics with the quarterfinals set to begin on Wednesday.