On day six of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, both Team USA’s men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball teams took center stage at La Concorde, each seeking their first victories as they continued their battle through pool play.
Women’s Team: A Day of Highs and Lows
Team USA Women began their day with a narrow 17-15 loss to Australia. Despite a strong shooting performance, going 7-14 from one-point range and 4-8 from beyond the arc, they struggled defensively, committing nine team fouls that led to seven foul shots for Australia. Rhyne Howard led the scoring for the Americans with eight points, while Alex Wilson topped Australia with eight points as well.
In their second game of the day, Team USA turned things around with a 17-11 victory over Spain. The Americans shot impressively, hitting 11-18 from the field and 2-4 from three-point range. Howard and Hailey van Lith each contributed five points. Vega Gimeno led Spain with five points. The win came down to a strong finish as the U.S. scored the last seven points of the game, including a critical go-ahead free throw by Cierra Burdick.
Men’s Team: Struggles and Close Calls
Team USA Men faced a tough day with two games. They first lost a close match to Lithuania, 20-18. The team struggled with their perimeter shooting, making only 1-13 from beyond the arc. Canyon Barry led the Americans with nine points, while Aurelijus Pukelis scored seven for Lithuania. Jimmer Fredette did not play in this game.
In their evening match, Team USA came up short against Tokyo 2020 gold medalists Latvia, losing 21-19. Barry continued his strong performance with 10 points, but the team’s offense faltered in the final moments. Nauris Miezis led Latvia with 10 points. Despite a valiant effort, the men’s team remains winless at Paris 2024.
Game of the Day: Team USA Women vs. Spain
The women’s game against Spain was the highlight of the day. Team USA secured a crucial 17-11 win, overcoming an 11-10 deficit in the final moments. Cierra Burdick’s go-ahead free throw with 47 seconds left, followed by a basket from Rhyne Howard, sealed the victory.
Player of the Day: Rhyne Howard
Rhyne Howard was the standout performer, leading Team USA in scoring across both games on August 1. She scored a total of 13 points, including a key basket against Spain that extended the American lead. Howard’s performance was pivotal in both games, highlighting her critical role in Team USA’s success.
3×3 Basketball Results for August 1
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Team USA Women vs. Australia | Team USA Women 15-17 Australia |
| Team USA Men vs. Lithuania | Team USA Men 18-20 Lithuania |
| Team USA Women vs. Spain | Team USA Women 17-11 Spain |
| Team USA Men vs. Latvia | Team USA Men 19-21 Latvia |
USA 3×3 Basketball Schedule for August 2
| Time (EST) | Match |
|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. | Team USA Women vs. France |
| 12:00 p.m. | Team USA Women vs. Canada |
| 12:35 p.m. | Team USA Men vs. France |
| 4:35 p.m. | Team USA Men vs. People’s Republic of China |
As the competition continues, Team USA will look to build on their successes and address their challenges in upcoming matches.
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