The moment which we all were waiting for finally arrived. The Team USA clashed with the Team WNBA on Sunday in a nail-biting thriller. While the game went through its ups and downs, nobody can deny the efforts put in by all players. However, as is the case with every contest there were moments that compelled players to pause and reflect.

Today, EssentiallySports takes a look at the five key takeaways from Team USA’s clash with the Team WNBA and how it will help all the athletes to improve their game from here onwards.

Team USA failed in defense

One of the most important concerns for Team USA would be that they failed in defense. The opponents scored 117 points which shows their defensive weaknesses. The main players who could have saved the USA from their defensive woes were A’ja Wilson, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner. But none of the three could stand tall to their name and gave away a lot of points.

Though Wilson, Griner, and Taurasi had 6, 7, and 6 rebounds each respectively, it was a paltry affair compared to how Breanna Stewart performed. Stewart though isn’t the core defensive player still contributed with 10 rebounds. Apart from her, none of the athletes could rise to the occasion in defense. Therefore, if Team USA are to win their eighth consecutive gold then they will have to perform well defensively.

Underdog Arike Ogunbowale answered when duty called

A surprising thing in this year’s WNBA was that the underdog Arike Ogunbowale rose to the occasion. Though Ogunbowale was the All-Star MVP in 2021, she was not initially considered the main highlight of this year’s WNBA All-Star game. But that was before she had performed. Ogunbowale scored an exceptional 34 points and broke Jewell Loyd’s record for the highest score in a WNBA All-Star game (31 points).

Thus, she established her dominance and was a major reason why the WNBA All-Star team was able to trump Team USA. Her performance was a surprise for all the fans who hadn’t considered that the 27-year-old has scored 22.3 points per game with 4.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists in this season’s W.

Caitlin Clark is yet to be the shooting machine

A surprising fact this season has been that Caitlin Clark hasn’t yet shown her shooting skills. While in the NCAA she was a three-pointer queen who also surpassed Pete Maravich as the all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s basketball, Clark is yet to show that dominance in the WNBA.

Though basketball is a team game and hence, much of a player’s style also depends on how their team has been performing and how they adjust to the playing style, Clark has not shown much shades of her former NCAA self. Even in this game, she could only score 4 points and could hit no three-pointers. Going forward, she will have to somehow bring back her signature three-pointers if she wants to maintain her dominance at the highest level.

A’ja Wilson might not be the primary scorer in the Paris Olympics

Halfway into the WNBA season, Wilson is positioned atop the WNBA offensive leaders. She has scored an extravagant 27.2 points per game. However, she caught the attention of the other players in the W, which was seen in this game as she was screened by her opponents. Going forward even in the Olympics, there are chances that Wilson might not be given the onus of being the primary scorer because she might be guarded well.

In the All-Star game on Sunday, Wilson scored a whopping 22 points, but that was nowhere when accounting for the expectations of the spectators and analysts. Instead, it was Stewart and Ogunbowale who were on an offensive rampage. Wilson needs to sort out her issues soon and make sure that she helps her team to their eighth consecutive gold in Paris.

Team USA stars will need to step up

When taking a bird’s-eye view of Sunday’s game, it is clear that for Team USA only Stewart, Wilson, Taurasi, and Griner could reach double figures in scoring. Barring them none of the Team USA stars were able to live up to the expectations. Plus, Griner and Taurasi only scored 10 and 14 points. Hence, special attention needs to be given to other Team USA players.

The team has exceptional players like Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, etc. who can change the course of the game single-handedly. Therefore, it would be an opportunity wasted if the players aren’t rotated well which will give them a chance to prove their mettle on the big stage. Going forward, every player needs to develop that adjustment quality and versatility which will help them be the answer when their team is going through crucial phases.

Both Team USA and WNBA All-Star players will benefit if they introspect on Sunday’s game. And it would be a smart move to prepare accordingly from here on. As for fans, they can be sure of enjoying incredible performances from the Team USA stars.