USA vs. Japan: Can Diana Taurasi and Co. Defeat Japan in Their First Group Play? Injury Report, Starting 5 and Prediction

Team USA is set to kick off their first round of group play against Japan on the 29th. And, if it is anything like the last time, it is going to be the top berth on the Olympic podium for the US women’s national basketball team led by Diana Taurasi. Moreover, they have had a not-so-heavy exhibition schedule. However, they are geared up well with their display in the exhibition game against Germany when they collected an 84-57 win under their belts.

As for Japan, it was the 1976 Olympics when Japan had an upper hand over the USA. Since then, the two teams have encountered each other 6 times with the USA coming up on the winning side with 6-1. Now, hours before they lock horns, here are the updates related to Team USA and Team Japan’s starting 5, injuries if so, and some other facts on the surface.

Injury updates and starting five for Team USA and Team Japan

Napheesa Collier’s plantar fasciitis which kept her out of the last 5 games in the WNBA can be the only point of concern. But as of 28th, none of the players on both sides have been reported under injury. This simply leads us to the expected starting 5 players on both sides.

For the USAWB team, it is expected that Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson to kick off in the lineup. Jewell Loyd could be the possible replacement in case Collier finds trouble with the injury. Whereas for Japan it will be Mai Yamamoto, Saki Hayashi, Akaho Himawari, Evelyn Mawui, and Maki Takada.

Prediction: Can Diana Taurasi and Co. hand over a defeat to Japan in the first group play?

The hunt for their 8th consecutive gold is on and being the anticipated favorite, Team USA is expected to dominate the floor, given the roster consists of seasoned WNBA veterans. Moreover, it’s 6x Olympian Diana Taurasi who will be leading the team that has the reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wison balancing her scoring with Stewart.

The last time they faced Japan, the USA dominated with a 90-75 Olympic gold victory. It was Brittney Griner leading the charge, putting out a historic 30-point display while Breanna Stewart took care of the boards with 14 rebounds. The Liberty star has kept up her format with a 15-point game against Germany while Wilson carried along with 19 points. The two are now expected to take the front court while Chelsea Gray comes in as point guard.

Japan, which stands at no. 9 in FIBA world rankings, has the exception of being one of the only two nations to have defeated Team USA in the Olympics before. The other nation is the former Soviet Union.

Overall, if Team USA is successful in accomplishing another gold, then the glorious moment will shine upon Diana Taurasi as she will become a record holder for the most gold medals by any player in the history of USA Basketball. In addition, the roster features WNBA’s top 4 scorers per game including A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd, Kahleah Copper, and Napheesa Collier.

Talking about the team’s legacy, Team USA has dominated every Olympic Games since 1996, with prior two gold already won in 1984 and 1988. However, they did face a loss against the United Team from the Soviet Union and ended up winning a bronze medal. But after that loss, there hasn’t been any competition in which Team USA has suffered a loss at an Olympic or any major tournament.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr