The WNBA All-Stars continued their dominance over the U.S. Olympic team with a 117-109 victory in Phoenix, Arizona, marking their second consecutive win in this matchup. The game, serving as a crucial preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, showcased the depth of talent in women’s basketball while highlighting some concerns for the Olympic squad.Arike Ogunbowale stole the spotlight, setting a new WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points, all scored in the second half. This remarkable performance earned Ogunbowale her second consecutive All-Star MVP title. Rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese also left their mark, with Clark dishing out a rookie-record 10 assists and Reese securing a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.Despite the loss, the U.S. Olympic team, led by Breanna Stewart’s 31 points and A’ja Wilson’s 22 points, remains optimistic. Head coach Cheryl Reeve emphasized that the game provided valuable insights and learning opportunities. The team’s history of bouncing back from exhibition losses to win Olympic gold medals – they’ve won the last seven – is a source of confidence.The game also served as a celebration of WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi’s 20-year career and marked Brittney Griner’s return to Phoenix following her detainment in Russia. As the U.S. team prepares for their final exhibition game against Germany before the Olympics, the basketball world eagerly anticipates how this talented squad will perform on the global stage.
Key points
- WNBA All-Stars defeated the U.
- Arike Ogunbowale set a new WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points, earning her second consecutive MVP title.
- Despite the loss, the U.
- The game served as crucial preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics and showcased the depth of talent in women’s basketball.
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Olympic team 117-109 in a pre-Olympic exhibition game.
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Olympic team remains confident, citing their history of winning gold medals after exhibition losses.
