SUE BIRD

The expanded 40-game WNBA season will tip off its 2023 schedule with four games slated for Friday, May 19, and all teams in action over opening weekend, the league announced on Wednesday. There are eight back-to-backs in the schedule, with the Aces holding two of them, per Across the Timeline. The season will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 10, with every team taking the court, including a matchup between Chicago and Connecticut. WNBA Finals rematch: Aces vs. SunThe Aces are looking to run it back with all five starters signed to contracts in 2023. The Sky head into free agency with Kahleah Copper, the 2021 Finals MVP, as the only starter under contract.

A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are keenly aware of the legacy of success they are part of with the U.S. women’s basketball team.

A’ja Wilson scored 19 points, Kelsey Plum added 17 and the United States beat China 83-61 to win its fourth consecutive gold medal at the women’s World Cup.

Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Alyssa Thomas had 14 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in her debut for the United States, which beat Belgium 87-72 in its World Cup opener.

Serena Williams, Sue Bird and Allyson Felix are retiring from their respective sports and moving on to other ventures.

The Seattle Storm lost its semifinal game on Tuesday, bringing a bittersweet end to what the 41-year-old had said would be her final season. She retires as the winningest WNBA player of all time.

“Sue to me in some ways is an example, or is an illustration of how the league has grown. 1 in 2002, and she has spent her entire WNBA career in Seattle. Bird is part a rare club; a group of professional basketball players to play 20-plus years with the same organization, including Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. And of course, the way Bird carries herself would make any parent proud. Bird “has been so unselfish in a way that made other players look really good, it’s hard for anyone to dislike her."

Her team was eliminated from the WNBA playoffs but her she's leaving an indelible mark on the game she loves.

Sue Bird just knows how to win.

SEATTLE — (AP) — Sue Bird’s career came to an end Tuesday night as Chelsea Gray scored 15 of her 31 points in the fourth quarter and the Las Vegas Aces advanced to the WNBA Finals with a 97-92 win over the Seattle Storm in Game 4 of their semifinal series. It will be the third Finals appearance in franchise history for Las Vegas. The Aces lost to Seattle in 2020 in the WNBA bubble played in Florida, and the franchise reached the Finals in 2008 while still in San Antonio, losing to Detroit. And it was Aces that finally eliminated Bird and the Storm after four stressful games filled with big performances. UP NEXTLas Vegas will host either Connecticut or Chicago in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday.

Sue Bird’s career came to an end as Chelsea Gray scored 15 of her 31 points in the fourth quarter, and the Las Vegas Aces advanced to the WNBA Finals with a 97-92 win over the Seattle Storm in Game 4 of their semifinal series.

Seattle led 92-90 with 0.8 seconds left in regulation after Sue Bird hit a corner 3. Las Vegas outscored Seattle 18-6 in overtime. Williams hit a 3 with 8.9 seconds left for Las Vegas before Charles missed her foul shots. Wilson put Las Vegas ahead 90-89 with a spinning drive in the lane with 2.2 seconds left. UP NEXTGame 4 will be Tuesday night with Las Vegas looking to advance to the finals.

Jackie Young sent the game in overtime with a buzzer-beating basket and then Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum hit big shots in the extra session to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Seattle Storm 110-98 to move within a victory of advancing to the WNBA Finals.

SEATTLE — (AP) — Sue Bird's eye for the court and knowledge of the game is what separates her among WNBA point guards, much to the frustration of her opponents for the past two decades. But first, she's aiming for her fifth WNBA title with the Storm, where she’s spent her entire career. Bird's skill as a coach on the court will be tested when Seattle's best-of-five semifinal against Las Vegas starts on Sunday. Seattle coach Noelle Quinn has seen the depth of Bird’s court vision from a unique perspective. She saw it for three seasons as a teammate, the last of which ended with the third of Bird’s four WNBA titles in 2018.

Sue Bird's eye for the court and knowledge of the game separates her among WNBA point guards.

SEATTLE — (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Sue Bird added season highs of 18 points and 10 assists, and the Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics 97-84 on Sunday to sweep their opening-round series. Jewell Loyd was 5 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with 19 points for the Storm. Natasha Cloud made 5 of 8 from 3-point range and finished with 21 points for Washington. Atkins added 15 points and seven assists, Elena Delle Donne and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 12 points apiece, and Alysha Clark 10. The Storm made 35 of 63 (55.6%) from the field, shot 52.2% (12 of 23) from 3-point range.

Breanna Stewart had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Sue Bird added season highs of 18 points and 10 assists, and the Seattle Storm beat the Washington Mystics 97-84 to sweep their opening-round series.

The Chicago Sky are attempting to become the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back championships. And Seattle Storm star Sue Bird will be retiring after a 19-year career in the league.

The U.S. women’s basketball team will have a lot of new faces when the Americans play in the FIBA World Cup next month in Australia.

Storm Lynx Basketball Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, left, Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, center, and Storm guard Briann January are honored before a WNBA basketball game Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, in Minneapolis. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) (Elizabeth Flores)MINNEAPOLIS — (AP) — Tina Charles had 23 points and nine rebounds, Jewell Loyd scored 21 points and the Seattle Storm secured the No. 4 seed in the WNBA playoffs with a 96-69 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night, spoiling Sylvia Fowles’ final regular-season home game. who passed Brunson for first on Minnesota’s rebounds list, finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Minnesota's Aerial Powers scored 12 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter and Bridget Carleton added 11 points.

Washington may face the Seattle Storm, led by Breanna Stewart, in the opening round.

(Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) (Dean Rutz)With one week left in the WNBA regular season, there's still a lot to be decided as far as the postseason goes. Six teams have clinched spots in the playoffs that begin next week although none of the seeds has been locked up just yet. Seattle and Washington sit a half game apart in the standings for the fourth and fifth seeds. Dallas may be the only team that really has locked in its spot, clinching a playoff berth on Monday night. A huge game for both teams in their playoff hunt, but also the final regular-season home contest for Sylvia Fowles.

A record 18,100 fans came out to Climate Pledge Arena, many arriving hours before tipoff, to watch Sue Bird play her final regular season game in Seattle on Sunday. This time they bellowed "Thank you, Sue" as Bird finished her ESPN post-game interview with sideline reporter Holly Rowe. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell officially declared it "Sue Bird Day" in Seattle ahead of the game. pic.twitter.com/3Go7dPKLwD — ESPN (@espn) August 7, 2022There's a chance if the Storm don't play at Climate Pledge again until 2023, it will look a lot different. #TheFinalFlight pic.twitter.com/UidfAziZJe — Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 7, 2022She exited by tossing out shoes to fans.

SEATTLE — (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 29 points, Kelsey Plum added 16 including a key 3-pointer in the final minute, and the Las Vegas Aces spoiled the final regular season home game for Sue Bird beating the Seattle Storm 89-81 on Sunday. But the Aces weren’t willing to play their part in ensuring Bird’s finale was a win. Wilson dominated the first three quarters, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young both scored 15 and the Aces never trailed the final 28 minutes. “To be so good for so long,” said Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon, who was an opponent of Bird’s in her first WNBA game on May 30, 2002. For now, Bird’s next act is trying to make sure the Storm play again on their home floor.

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, center, walks out of the tunnel before a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Seattle. 5) on ESPN33 p.m.: Aces (22-10, No. 7) at Lynx (12-20, No. Las Vegas Aces (22-10), 2 GB - x3. Minnesota Lynx (12-20), 12 GB (1.5 GB of playoff spot)11.

Sue Bird knows she made the right decision announcing publicly what she knew inside — that this would be her last WNBA season.

FILE - Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) talks with Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) during the second half of a single-game WNBA basketball playoff matchup, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Tempe, Ariz. Seattle's Sue Bird and Mercury star Diana Taurasi share the court perhaps for the last time in a WNBA clash in Phoenix, Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt York)20 years ago, a UConn sophomore named Diana Taurasi saw her senior point guard Sue Bird finish her college career. Taurasi and Bird took the court for the final time in the regular season on Friday, with Bird's Seattle Storm visiting the Phoenix Mercury, and you better believe Taurasi and the Mercury had a gift ready. Diana Taurasi gifted Sue Bird a custom pair of Nikes before their last regular season game against each other ❤️🐐(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/v4fuzcVice — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 23, 2022Bird and Taurasi could still play against each other should their teams make the playoffs. Before the game, the @PhoenixMercury honored Briann January (@BriannJanuary) and her contributions in Phoenix 🧡 pic.twitter.com/Jter9Bodoi — WNBA (@WNBA) July 23, 2022This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sports at https://sports.yahoo.com/diana-taurasi-mercury-say-goodbye-to-sue-bird-with-custom-shoes-033201432.html

The Las Vegas Aces have come out of the All-Star break on a roll, winning three road games and scoring more than 100 points in two of victories.

“That’s when it really hit me like wow, this is different, this is going to be a change,” Wilson said, retelling the story from the WNBA All-Star orange carpet. After joining the Minnesota Lynx mid-dynasty, she earned Finals MVP in both title years (’15, ’17) and was named the 2017 league MVP. A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart carry torch for next generationWith the backend of the season already underway, Wilson and Stewart are exactly where they’ve always been — the forefront of the MVP race. Through the All-Star break, Stewart leads the league in points (20.9 ppg) and Wilson in rebounds (10.3 rpg). Wilson and Stewart are both becoming vocal leaders in social and league issues, the aspect Stewart sees as the way they carry the torch.

WNBA All Star Basketball Team Stewart's Ariel Atkins, left, and Team Wilson's Sue Bird battle for a loose ball during the first half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, July 10, 2022. Brittney Griner was everywhere Sunday, everywhere except where the league's best players felt she should be — playing alongside in the marquee WNBA All-Star Game, in which Team Wilson pulled away from Team Stewart for a 134-112 victory. While advocating for Griner's release, the WNBA also honored Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles in the final All-Star Game for both of the retiring players. Las Vegas aces guard Kelsey Plum was named MVP after she scored 30 points for Team Wilson in her first All-Star appearance. Fully focused on getting her home safely and as soon as possible.”It was the first WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, home of the defending champion Sky.

Wintrust Arena is hosting the WNBA All-Star Game. But before Sunday’s game, there are plenty of events — and we are tracking it all.

CHICAGO — (AP) — Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are playing in the WNBA All-Star Game for the last time. And everyone is thinking about one person: Brittney Griner. Griner's continued detention in Russia is front and center as the WNBA holds one of its marquee events in Chicago for the first time. Rapinoe had BG and a rose stitched on her jacket for the occasion, and Bird sported a “WE ARE BG" pin. They spoke after Biden read a letter from Brittney Griner in which she said she feared she'd never return home.

Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are playing in the WNBA All-Star Game for the last time.

Fever Storm Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird knocks the ball away from Indiana Fever's Lexie Hull during the first quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, July 1, 2022, in Seattle. Now the basketball greats will appear on the cover of the NBA 2K23 WNBA edition video game that will be released on Sept. 9. It’s the second straight year that the video game will feature a WNBA athlete on one of its covers; Candace Parker was on it last year. “You know you have all these little girls playing basketball, and they can actually start gaming now with you know, hopefully, two of their favorite players on the cover,” Taurasi said. “Whether it’s girls or boys, whether it’s women, men it doesn’t really matter and that’s that’s the beauty of it,” Bird said.

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have been linked for two decades.

Aces Storm Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird stops as Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Seattle. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times via AP) (Dean Rutz)SEATTLE — (AP) — Sue Bird became the WNBA's leader in career wins with 324 on Wednesday night as the Seattle Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 88-78. But Las Vegas tied it at 60 later in the quarter after a 13-2 run. Kelsey Plum scored 16 points, Jackie Young added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Chelsea Gray had 10 points and eight assists. Wilson had a double-double in the first half with 11 points and 11 rebounds to help Las Vegas lead 47-44.

Sky Aces Basketball Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) drives around Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (John Locher)NEW YORK — (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans, as the trio was selected Tuesday as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago. But Diana Taurasi won’t be in Chicago, left off the All-Star list for the first time in her career when healthy. Jones is the only player to make the All-Star Game this season while coming off the bench. Chicago's James Wade will coach one team, while Las Vegas' Becky Hammon will lead the other.

Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman will get a chance to play before their home fans as the trio was selected as reserves for the WNBA All-Star Game on July 10 in Chicago.

Storm Liberty Basketball Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) drives against New York Liberty guard CrystalDangerfield during the first half of WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK — (AP) — Sue Bird admitted that it felt like a fairy tale. It was only fitting that her final regular-season game in her hometown of New York ended with her hitting the last shot. The league's all-time assist leader made a 3-pointer to seal the game and give the Seattle Storm a 81-72 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday. “In some ways, I was kind of bummed my last game in New York was so early in the season.

Storm Liberty Basketball Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) drives against New York Liberty guard CrystalDangerfield during the first half of WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 19, 2022 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer)NEW YORK — (AP) — Gabby Williams scored a season-high 23 points in Seattle's 81-72 win over the New York Liberty on Sunday in what was Storm guard Sue Bird's final regular-season game in her hometown. Bird, the league's all-time assists leader, announced Thursday that she would retire at the end of the 2022 season. Bird needed about 100 tickets for family and friends who wanted to take in her last game in New York. Marine Johannes scored a career-high 23 points to lead New York (6-10).

Gabby Williams scored a season-high 23 points in Seattle’s 81-72 win over the New York Liberty in what was Storm guard Sue Bird’s final regular-season game in her hometown.

Storm-Bird Retires Basketball FILE - Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) plays during the first half of the Commissioner's Cup WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, on Aug. 12, 2021, in Phoenix. The Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist announced Thursday, June 16, 2022, that the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA. The Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist announced Thursday the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA. Bird was the AP national player of the year her final season at UConn. “Sue Bird is Storm basketball,” her WNBA team tweeted moments after Bird made her decision known.

Bird has played with the Seattle Storm since being drafted by the team in 2002. On Thursday, she announced that the current WNBA season, her 19th playing, will be her last.

Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird says the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA.

Sue Bird Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird (10) plays during the first half of the Commissioner's Cup WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, on Aug. 12, 2021, in Phoenix. The Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist announced Thursday, June 16, 2022, that the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA. (Matt York/AP Photo, File)Five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird, one of the most decorated players in the history of women’s professional basketball, on Thursday announced plans to retire from the WNBA after the 2022 season. >> Read more trending newsThe Seattle Storm point guard made the announcement on social media. >> Read more on KIRO7.com“Bird’s importance to the Seattle Storm franchise cannot be overstated,” team officials said.

Sparks Storm Basketball Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird lines up a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Sparks during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game Friday, May 20, 2022, in Seattle. (Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times via AP) (Jennifer Buchanan)Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird announced Thursday the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA. She strongly considered retirement after last season before choosing to return for a 19th season as a player. Bird is a four-time WNBA champion, 12-time All-Star and the oldest player in the league at 41. ___More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports___More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Seattle Storm star and five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird says the 2022 season will be her last playing in the WNBA.

Congratulations, ladies! The issue comes out on May 19.

For WNBA players, spending the offseason by competing in Russia can be lucrative, with some earning more money than they make back home.

The five-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion talks about her legacy in a league that's changed drastically since she was drafted.

Russia has been a popular destination for WNBA players like Brittney Griner over the past two decades because of the money they can make playing there in the winter.

Storm Bird Basketball FILE - Seattle Storm's Sue Bird dribbles in the first half of a WNBA second round playoff basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Everett, Wash. Sue Bird officially re-signed Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, with the Seattle Storm, her only WNBA team, in what is expected to be her final season. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) (Elaine Thompson)SEATTLE — (AP) — Sue Bird officially re-signed Friday with the Seattle Storm, her only WNBA team, in what is expected to be her final season. Bird, the WNBA assists leader and oldest player in the league at 41, previously announced she would return for one more season. Bird is a four-time WNBA champion with Seattle. The 2022 season will be Bird’s 21st overall with the franchise, but she missed the 2014 and 2019 seasons due to injury.

Sue Bird officially re-signed with the Seattle Storm, her only WNBA team, in what is expected to be her final season.

The Minnesota Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve will be the next USA Basketball national team coach, a person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday. She will be the first professional women’s basketball coach to lead the team since Anne Donovan was courtside for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The U.S. is in a bit of transition with five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird retiring from international play. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Sylvia Fowles, who plays for Reeve in Minnesota, also said she is retiring from USA Basketball. ___More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Paige Bueckers scored 22 points but went down with an injury at the end of No. 2 UConn’s 73-54 win over No. 24 Notre Dame.

The WNBA superstar and five-time Olympic gold medalist told Insider she "really enjoyed shooting with Woj" and that he was "a lot of fun" on set.

The WNBA playoff chase may come down to the final day of the regular season on Sept. 19.

The WNBA honored its past and present when it announced the league's top 25 players Sunday. The “W25” has 10 current players, including Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Sylvia Fowles, Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart. Former stars Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, Katie Smith and Sheryl Swoopes are among 15 retired players selected by a panel of media members and women's basketball pioneers and advocates.

President Joe Biden has honored the 2020 WNBA champions Seattle Storm at the White House.

Breanna Stewart scored 15 of her 17 points in the first quarter and the Seattle Storm routed the Connecticut Sun 79-57 to win the inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Tokyo Olympics Basketball United States' Sue Bird (6) drives past Japan's Maki Takada (8) and Rui Machida (13), right, during women's basketball gold medal game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)SAITAMA, Japan — (AP) — Sue Bird capped off her unblemished 17-year Olympics run with a record fifth gold medal. The Americans are on a 55-game Olympic winning streak dating back to the bronze medal game of the 1992 Barcelona Games. Wilson, who celebrated her 25th birthday on Sunday, made her presence felt in her Olympic debut, scoring 19 points in the gold medal game. The victory also made Dawn Staley, the first Black women's basketball coach for the U.S., the second woman to win a gold medal as a player, assistant and head coach joining Anne Donovan.

Sue Bird capped off her unblemished 17-year Olympics run with a record fifth gold medal.

Tokyo Olympics Athletics Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy celebrates after winning the men's 100-meters at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Not really.”He suggests people doubted his own rapid career progress from a “relatively modest athlete” in 1978 to an Olympic champion two years later. ___Megan Rapinoe says she’s enjoying the greatest gift she doesn’t deserve: being able to stick around and watch fiancee Sue Bird play for a fifth Olympic gold medal. ___MEDAL ALERTJason Kenny has become Britain’s most decorated Olympian by defending his gold medal in the keirin. ___Serbia is going home with an Olympic medal in women’s volleyball for the second straight Games.

She hopes it will be with an unprecedented fifth consecutive gold medal when the U.S. plays Japan in the women's basketball championship game. Bird and Taurasi have never lost an Olympic game, going 37-0. “They’re doing a great job at keeping everything in check because the main thing is winning a gold medal,” Staley said. “I think everybody here wants to win gold for them, for us, for everybody that’s started this streak that got us here," said U.S. center Brittney Griner. "You know there’s a lot of different reasons why we want to win this gold medal.

Sue Bird’s impressive 17-year Olympic journey will come to an end this weekend.

The U.S. baseball team featuring Todd Frazier and Edwin Jackson plays Japan in the gold medal game, while the U.S. women's volleyball and water polo teams also play in the finals. WOMEN'S WATER POLOThe U.S. women’s water polo team goes for its third straight gold medal when it faces Spain in the final at the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre. Spain is looking for its first gold medal in women’s water polo. MEN'S BASEBALLMike Scioscia is one win from matching mentor Tommy Lasorda, the only manager to lead the United States to a baseball gold medal. But host Japan, which stopped its major league season during the Tokyo Olympics, is the favorite in the gold medal game.

Day 15 of the Tokyo Games will feature the American women going for gold in basketball, volleyball and water polo.

The new medal standard in Olympic women’s track has been set.

Brittney Griner had 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the U.S. beat Serbia 79-59 to advance to the gold medal game of the Olympics.

Breanna Stewart scored 20 of her 23 points in the first half to help the U.S. beat Australia 79-55 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

There is definitely a UConn flavor to the women's basketball being played in the Tokyo Games.

The next challenge for the U.S. is rival Australia in the quarterfinals of the women's basketball tournament.

A’ja Wilson scored 22 points and Breanna Stewart added 17 to help the U.S. beat France 93-82.

Usain Bolt has retired so there will be a new fastest man at the Olympics for the first time since 2008 when the men’s 100-meter dash is held on Day 9 of the Tokyo Games.

The U.S. women’s basketball team isn’t clicking at the Tokyo Games the way the Americans would like.

The U.S. defeated Japan 86-69 in group play. It's a record 51st straight win for the top-ranked U.S. dating to the 1992 Games. The Americans are going for their 7th straight Olympic gold medal.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)SAITAMA, Japan — (AP) — A'ja Wilson scored 20 points and Breanna Stewart added 15 to help the U.S. beat Japan 86-69 on Friday in the women's basketball tournament. The U.S. had its dominant group of bigs led by the 6-foot-9 Brittney Griner. Despite the size disadvantage, Japan was able to consistently beat the Americans off the dribble, get to the basket and score early on. With the game tied at 36, the Americans scored scored seven straight to start a 13-4 run to close the half. Japan cut the deficit to five in the third quarter but couldn't get any closer as Wilson, Stewart and Griner dominated inside.

A’ja Wilson scored 20 points and Breanna Stewart added 15 to help the U.S. beat Japan 86-69 in the women's basketball tournament.

Nigeria assistant coach Ruthie Bolton could only watch and yell at the television in a Japanese hotel room as the Nigerians battled the U.S. women's basketball team.

A’ja Wilson had 19 points and 13 rebounds in her Olympic debut to help the U.S. beat Nigeria 81-72 in the opener for both teams.

Dawn Staley says she doesn’t feel any added pressure being the first Black head coach of the U.S. women’s basketball Olympic team.

U.S. assistant Dan Hughes is not the face of the Olympic women's basketball team and he couldn't be happier in his role.

From pictogram people to a moving rendition of "Imagine," the Tokyo Olympics' opening ceremony balanced fun with the seriousness of the moment.

Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares, of the United States of America, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)The Latest on the Tokyo Olympics, which are taking place under heavy restrictions after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:___An array of singers, including John Legend and Keith Urban, have performed “Imagine” at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics. Bird says “this Olympics are like no other.”___The parade of athletes at the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics has started. ___Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach have arrived for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games. ___With a blaze of indigo and white fireworks lighting the night sky, the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony has started.

Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony Sue Bird and Eddy Alvares, of the United States of America, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo. ___Sue Bird is one of the flagbearers for the U.S. in the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics, sharing that role with baseball’s Eddy Alvarez. Bird says “this Olympics are like no other.”___The parade of athletes at the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Olympics has started. ___Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach have arrived for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Games. ___With a blaze of indigo and white fireworks lighting the night sky, the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony has started.

Miami Marlins infielder Eddy Alvarez and four-time Olympic women’s basketball gold medalist Sue Bird will be the U.S. flag bearers for the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo Games.

(Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) (Chase Stevens)Four-time Olympic women's basketball gold medalist Sue Bird and baseball player Eddy Alvarez were chosen as U.S. flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday night. Alvarez, who won a silver medal in speedskating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and Bird were chosen by a vote of fellow U.S. athletes. Bird is the second U.S. women's basketball player to carry the flag, joining current coach Dawn Staley, who did it at the 2004 games. “It’s an incredible honor to be selected the flag bearer for Team USA,” Bird said. Alvarez becomes the first baseball player to carry the flag for the U.S.

The U.S. rebounded after dropping consecutive exhibition games for the first time since 2011 with losses to the WNBA All-Stars and Australia earlier this week. After shooting 2 for 18 from behind the 3-point arc in the loss to Australia, the U.S. pounded the ball inside early and often against Nigeria. Williams did play for Nigeria in the exhibition game while Ogwumike and her sister, Chiney, who was approved to play as a naturalized player for Nigeria were on the bench, but not suited up. Erica Ogwumike, the youngest of the four Ogwumike sisters, had five points for Nigeria. Nigeria has been a team on the rise, reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2018. before losing to the U.S.

Both the U.S. Olympic team and the WNBA All-Stars expect a competitive game in the league’s showcase.

The Chicago Sky are at full strength and moving up the WNBA standings after a slow start due to injuries.

Storm Fever Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird drives as Indiana Fever's Jantel Lavender defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (Darron Cummings)Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will try and become the first five-time Olympic gold medalists in basketball as they lead the U.S women's team at the Tokyo Games. The duo was selected for their fifth Olympics on Monday, joining Teresa Edwards as the only basketball players in U.S. history to play in five. Edwards won four gold medals and a bronze in her illustrious Olympic career. “USA Basketball has never been in a better place,” said U.S. head coach Dawn Staley, who won three Olympic gold medals as a player and helped the team win two more as an assistant coach.

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will try and become the first five-time Olympic gold medalists in women’s basketball as they lead the U.S. team during the Tokyo Games.

Storm Fever Basketball Seattle Storm's Sue Bird drives as Indiana Fever's Jantel Lavender defends during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Indianapolis. The four-time Olympic gold medalist is expected to return to the Phoenix Mercury lineup in a few weeks and should be ready to go for training camp in Las Vegas in July. The former WNBA MVP and 2016 Olympic medalist hasn’t even practiced yet with the Washington Mystics this season. It would be highly unlikely for Delle Donne to be on the roster if she doesn't return with the Mystics before the Olympic break. Nneka Ogwumike played on the 2018 World Cup team as well and is a strong candidate for her first Olympics.

The U.S. women’s basketball team has a few questions surrounding its roster as the Americans to make a run at a seventh consecutive gold medal in the Olympics.

The WNBA will tip off its 25th season on Friday after an offseason that was full of player movement, including Candace Parker returning home to Chicago.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich signals to players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in San Antonio, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. The Tokyo Games open July 23, one day after the NBA says is the last possible date for this season’s NBA Finals. AdSerbia will play host to the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Italy and Senegal. Croatia will play host to Germany, Russia, Mexico, Tunisia and Brazil. And Canada will play host to Greece, China, Uruguay, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

That's changing now that Rapinoe has returned to the U.S. national team for its January training camp in Florida after sitting out most of last year. The last time Rapinoe played for the national team was on March 11, when she scored in a 3-1 SheBelieves Cup victory over Japan. The national team settled its dispute with the federation over unequal working conditions in December, leaving the pay dispute still unresolved. Rapinoe, 35, has scored 52 goals with 68 assists in 168 appearances with the national team since her first call-up in 2006. She scored on a penalty kick in the United States' victory over the Netherlands in the 2019 World Cup final.

Breanna Stewart and the Seattle Storm never really got a chance to defend their 2018 championship because of key injuries. “I don’t know if any of us are thinking that way,” Stewart said after the Storm completed a three-game sweep of the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night by setting a WNBA Finals record with a 33-point win. The 26-year-old won a second WNBA Finals MVP as a unanimous choice and was nearly unstoppable in the championship round. Bird, who turns 40 next week, has been a part of all four of the Storm championships during three decades. I just kind of start working out and see how I feel,” said Bird, who averaged 11 assists in the WNBA Finals.

Stewart scored 26 points and Seattle completed a sweep of the Las Vegas Aces with a 92-59 rout Tuesday night. It was the biggest margin of victory in WNBA Finals history. Seattle had pretty much the same core group that won the 2018 championship back for this year, led by Stewart, Bird and Jewell Loyd. Seattle has now won a record 11 games in a row in the WNBA Finals, dating to the team's first championship in 2004. She led the Dream to three WNBA Finals appearances but the team was swept in each one.

Las Vegas couldn't respond. A'ja Wilson had 20 points to lead Las Vegas while Angel McCoughtry and Emma Cannon added 17 each. The Aces led 65-64 with 3:22 left in the period before the Storm closed with a 11-3 burst. The Storm, who had 17 assists on their 18 baskets, built the lead to 13 before Las Vegas rallied to the six-point halftime deficit. ... Stewart had her fifth consecutive 20-point game in the WNBA Finals spanning back to the 2018 season.