A’ja Wilson surges ahead of Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo with spectacular Paris Olympic record (Image Credit: IMAGN)
U.S. women’s basketball superstar center A’ja Wilson delivered another dominant two-way performance during Wednesday’s 2024 Paris Olympic quarterfinal matchup against Nigeria. In doing so, she achieved multiple statistical milestones.
Wilson tallied game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds to go along with two assists and two blocks, shooting a hyper-efficient 81.8%. Meanwhile, Team USA won 88-74, extending its decades-long Olympic winning streak to 59 games.
The stellar showing marked Wilson’s third 20-point, 10-rebound double-double through four group phase and knockout-round games. Per StatMamba, no other men’s or women’s basketball player has had more such performances this summer.
Serbian superstar center Nikola Jokic ranks second (two games) ahead of Serbia’s Thursday semifinal clash against the U.S. men’s basketball team. Meanwhile, Greek superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds once before Greece’s Tuesday quarterfinal elimination against Germany.
Moreover, per USA Basketball Communications, with her third Olympic double-double, Wilson is “the first American since Candace Parker (2012) to have as many at the event.”
Wilson and Co. next face Australia in Friday’s semifinal clash. Team USA is two wins away from its unprecedented eighth straight Olympic gold medal, with its last Olympic loss coming at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Meanwhile, Wilson is on the cusp of securing her second gold medal.
A’ja Wilson on importance of Team USA getting off to strong starts
Despite being the women’s basketball tournament’s prohibitive favorite and having won every game by double figures thus far, Team USA has started slowly multiple times. Wednesday’s quarterfinal victory over Nigeria marked its first time leading after a first quarter over its past three games.
According to A’ja Wilson, her squad must continue preparing to take opponents’ best shots out of the gate to survive the knockout round’s single-elimination format.
“Our starts have to be great because the team on the other end is trying to take our head off,” Wilson said. “They want something. They’re greedy for it. So, we knew that coming in. We had to have a great start and punch first because this time it’s kind of like March Madness. You never know what happens. And you kind of have to always keep your guard up.”
The Americans finished Wednesday’s contest shooting 54.0% in contrast to the Nigerians’ 40.6%, obtaining a 44-28 rebounding advantage. They won the first three quarters decisively before Nigeria trimmed its deficit in the final period.
Team USA will look to extend its historic winning streak to 60 games on Friday against Australia. If it prevails, it will conclude the Olympics with a gold medal matchup against France or Belgium on Sunday.
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Edited by Tristan Rawcliffe
