Jackie Young Leads US Women’s Basketball in Olympics Victory Over Germany

Team USA advances to the knockout stage undefeated.

The United States' Jackie Young (13) works around Germany's Satou Sabally (0) in the women's preliminary round group C basketball match between Germany and the United States during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on Aug. 4, 2024. Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images

The United States’ women’s national team took the court on Aug. 4 against a very good—and undefeated in group play—German squad that had its share of WNBA players as well. With a strong defensive effort in the second half, the United States pulled away for an 87–68 win.

After dominant wins against Japan and Belgium, the U.S. team needed a win by a significant margin to cement the top seed in the knockout stage. Germany came in with wins against the same two teams, beating Belarus 83–69 and Japan 75–64. Germany’s plus-25 score differential was third-best in the field behind France and the United States coming into the game, meaning a lot was at stake.