The Olympic women’s basketball tournament’s knockout stage began with today’s quarterfinal round, which will determine Team USA’s chance to compete for an Olympic medal.
Team USA is still the top contender for gold, moving past pool play with a 3-0 record and a point differential of +58.
History-makers Nigeria stand in Team USA’s way
Team USA will face Nigeria in the quarterfinals, a team that has made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the Olympic knockout rounds. Nigeria finished pool play with a 2-1 record, a remarkable turnaround from their winless performance in the Tokyo Olympics.
Ezinne Kalu has been Nigeria’s top scorer in Paris, scoring 21 points in their recent game against Canada.
Roster depth is key to USA’s Olympic success
Team USA will rely on their strong depth, along with the standout performances of A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Their solid defense and consistent offense have been key, with the team averaging 92 points per game while allowing just 77 points per game from opponents. Even the bench players contributed significantly in their recent pool play game against Germany.
Three other contenders book Olympic semifinal spots
After today’s quarterfinals, Australia, Belgium, and France have secured spots in the Olympic semifinals, joining Team USA and Nigeria in the mix.
How to watch Team USA vs. Nigeria in the Olympic quarterfinal
Team USA will face Nigeria today at 3:30 PM ET, with live coverage on NBC networks.
