After an 0-3 start in the women’s 3×3 basketball competition, Team USA remains in contention for a medal, facing Spain in the semifinals. Germany and Canada meet in the other semifinal matchup. The winners will go for gold, while the losers will battle for bronze.
After playing seven or eight games across five days, the semifinalists in women’s 3×3 basketball—Germany, Spain, the United States and Canada—finally got a chance to breathe, with no games scheduled on Sunday.
The action, however, quickly re-intensifies on Monday, Aug. 5. The first women’s semifinal match between Spain and the United States tips off at 11:30 a.m. ET (USA Network), while Germany and Canada follow in the second women’s semifinal at 12:30 p.m. ET (USA Network). The losers of both games then meet in the bronze medal game at 3 p.m. ET (E! Network). The semifinal winners will go for gold at 4 p.m. ET (NBC).
Can Team USA ride their momentum to a gold medal?
Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images
For the Americans, in particular, the day off was a well-earned reprieve. After dropping their first three games, Team USA’s 3×3 gold medal defense was trending toward disappointment, if not disaster. However, the Americans responded to the self-induced adversity, reeling off five straight wins to advance to the semifinals, where they will meet Spain, the team they defeated to begin their winning streak.
The American foursome of Rhyne Howard, Dearica Hamby, Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith appear to be finding their stride at the exact right time. Team USA bested China in their final pool play game, 14-12, which earned them a second-straight matchup against the Chinese in the play-in game. Defeating the same team two times in a row always is a difficult task, yet the Americans did so with authority, securing their most complete victory of the competition with a 21-13 win to advance to the semifinals. Hamby was the engine of the American victory, catching fire from outside and draining all three of her 2-point attempts to lead Team USA with nine points.
USA definitely woke up improving their #3x3Basketball record from 0-3 to 4-3 #Paris2024 #Olympics @usab3x3 @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/bJkVoX2UdQ
— 3×3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) August 4, 2024
To advance to the gold medal match, the Americans must continue to build on their improving cohesion and connection. Although they scored a relatively comfortable 17-11 win over Spain in pool play, the Spanish shot quite poorly, including going 3-for-12 from 2-point range. Spain leads the competition in 2-point shooting rate, taking (75) and making (23) the most, even though, because they finished pool play in second place, they earned a bye to the semifinals and played seven games rather than eight. Their 31 percent conversion rate is average, comparable to Team USA’s 33 percent mark on 2-pointers. Yet, the Americans, across eight games, took the fewest 2-pointers in the competition (46). Hamby’s fearlessness from long range in the play-in win over China is a positive sign; to make 2-pointers, you’ve got to take them. The Americans also need to be more alert on the offensive glass, better applying their athletic advantages to earn second-chance opportunities if they’re misfiring from long range.
Can the Plouffe twins take Canada all the way?
Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
In the other semifinal, Canada will attempt to avenge their 19-15 pool play loss to Germany, when the Germans benefitted from efficient offensive efforts from Sonja Greinacher and Elisa Mevis, both of whom went 3-for-4 from the field. As the top team after pool play, with six wins and just a single loss, the Germans, like the Spanish, automatically advanced to the semifinals. Canada, similar to Team USA, punched their ticket to the semis with a strong play-in win, defeating Australia 21-10. A breakout game from Kacie Bosch spurred the Canadian triumph. She was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field on four 1-pointers and two 2-pointers; she also sunk her lone free throw attempt to finish with nine points. However, if Canada is to overcome favored Germany, expect it to be due to the Plouffe twins. Michelle and Katherine, both of whom rank in the top five in points and rebounds across the competition, are the heartbeat of the Canadian program.
Kacie Bosch sums it up perfectly, “our team never gives up on each other!” ❤️#3x3Basketball #Paris2024 #Olympics @CanBball pic.twitter.com/I1DcHkT3g5
— 3×3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) August 4, 2024
For the Canadians and Germans, as well as the Spanish, Monday presents the opportunity to earn their nation’s first-ever medal in women’s 3×3 basketball. Considering none of the programs qualified for the 2020 Olympics, reaching this stage is quite an accomplishment, indicative of the fast-increasing international quality of the sport.
Game information
Spain vs. United States
When: Monday, August 5 at 11:30 a.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: USA Network
Germany vs. Canada
When: Monday, August 5 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: USA Network
Bronze Medal Game
When: Monday, August 5 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: E! Network
Gold Medal Game
When: Monday, August 5 at 4 p.m. ET
Where: Place de la Concorde in Paris, France
How to watch: NBC
