-
Alexa FilippoESPN
SYDNEY – A good quantity of uncertainty surrounded USA Basketball as Sue Hen entered a brand new chapter and Diana Taurasi Period.
However in entrance of a crowd of 15,895 followers on the Sydney Superdome – most of whom had been enthusiastically supporting Staff China – the revamped Staff USA efficiently prolonged the legacy constructed by those that preceded them by successful the world for the fourth time in a row. Have been. Cup gold and eleventh general on the again of an 83–61 win over China within the closing.
Solely 5 gamers from the Tokyo Olympic crew, which received their seventh consecutive gold in Sydney, are match for purple, white and blue. No Hen, Taursee, Sylvia Fowles, Tina Charles both Brittany Griner, As an alternative, the crew that secured the ground included only one 30-year-old and 6 newcomers to the senior nationwide crew at this stage of the competitors, because the crew had been outlined over time by his expertise and big-state expertise. Even the pinnacle coach, Cheryl Reeve, who has received 4 titles Minnesota LynxNot too long ago generally known as one of many best dynasties video games.
America has dropped only one recreation in a serious worldwide competitors (the World Cup or Olympic Video games) since 1994: the 2006 World Cup semi-final in opposition to Russia.
Silver medalist China made its first World Cup closing look since 1994, the final time it had received a medal in a serious worldwide competitors. Host nation Australia took the bronze after a 95–65 victory over Canada, with former WNBA MVP and champion Lauren Jackson, who retired from the sport and is enjoying at 41, dropping 30 factors in her closing recreation for the Opels. .
Not even two weeks in the past, Staff USA’s newest to win the WNBA title Las Vegas Aces trio Chelsea Grey (2022 Closing MVP), eja wilson (2022 WNBA MVP) and Kelsey Plum (a first-time All-Star and All-WNBA choice) added to their trophy case after a whirlwind stretch, wherein they turned well-connected with the American crew when it started getting ready for the occasion—in truth, the match’s finish. later within the course of.
The trio within the closing was sensational, amid USA’s considerably sluggish begin, combining for 46 of USA’s 83 factors. Wilson had 16 factors within the first half in 16:35 to take Staff USA ahead. After a five-point recreation to finish the primary quarter and a 10-point recreation within the half, USA opened it up with a 25-14 lead within the third to present it a snug lead to enter the fourth.
Jewel Lloyd The opposite members had been the US who completed with 11 factors.
In his first match as crew chief, WNBA MVPs braina stewart And Wilson efficiently took over the mantle he had left behind by the likes of Byrd, Taurasi, and Fowls. However the newcomers felt their impression instantly, and nobody did as a lot. Alyssa ThomasTeammates think about him their “glue” and “the MVP of this match” previous to the championship.
China was with out li mango, their high scorer from the crew’s first assembly of the match in group play, a 14-point USA win as a result of an sickness. of the US Kahleh Copper He was dominated out for the second straight recreation after struggling a hip damage within the quarter-finals. Thomas went down within the second half with an higher physique damage, however returned to the sport after a quick look within the locker room. wu tongtong He additionally needed to get off the ground within the fourth quarter after struggling a knee damage.
Wilson received the World Cup MVP — his second WNBA MVP award, his first defensive participant of the 12 months, and one other accolade after taking his first WNBA title this season — and joined the All-Star 5 by: Bridget Carlton (Canada), han zu (China), Stewart (USA) and Steph Talbot (Australia).