USA vs. Nigeria basketball live score, updates, highlights from 2024 women’s quarterfinal game

By | August 7, 2024
0 Comment

The United States’ pursuit of an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal is on.

Team USA cruised through the Group Stage, earning a perfect 3-0 record with a tournament-best +58 point differential. It earned the top seed in the Knockout Round and is set to take on Nigeria, which went a respectable 2-1 in the Group Stage.

The United States has been powered by its talented frontcourt of WNBA MVPs A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Both players are averaging 20.3 points per game, tied for the third-most at the Olympics.

Will Nigeria be able to slow down that tandem and pull off a major upset to hand Team USA its first loss since 1992? The Sporting News has you covered with live updates, highlights and more below.

MORE: Inside U.S. women’s basketball’s overall record, more stats from 58-game win streak

USA vs. Nigeria basketball live score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
USA 26 26 24    
Nigeria 17 16 15    

USA vs. Nigeria live updates, results, highlights from 2024 Olympic women’s basketball game

(All times Eastern.)

End of third quarter: USA 76, Nigeria 48

4:49 p.m.: A dominant third quarter from Team USA has opened this one up.

The Americans take a 28-point lead into the final frame and appear poised for a semifinals appearance and a date with Australia.

Jackie Young’s 15 points lead the way while A’ja Wilson isn’t far behind with 14 points. Breanna Stewart has added 13 points.

4:42 p.m.: There’s been a lid on the rim for Nigeria as Team USA has upped the defensive intensity in the second half.

Through six minutes, Nigeria has scored just six points and Team USA’s lead is up to 27 points.

USA 66, Nigeria 39

4:33 p.m.: 43 seconds into the second half, Nigeria calls for a timeout as the American lead has ballooned to 23 points.

USA 56, Nigeria 33

Halftime: USA 52, Nigeria 33

4:16 p.m.: Make it a 19-point halftime lead for Team USA after closing the half on a dominant 17-4 run.

Per usual, this one has been about the duo of A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Wilson’s got 10 points (on 5-of-6 shooting), six rebounds and two assists while Stewart has a game-high 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.

As a team, the Americans have assisted on 18 of 20 made field goals.

Nigeria, which is shooting 12-of-30 from the field and 1-of-9 from 3-point range, is led by 12 points from Ezinne Kalu. 

4:13 p.m.: A’ja Wilson is taking over and Team USA is following suit.

Wilson’s up to 10 points and six rebounds with 1:08 to play in the first half and Team USA is now up 16 points after Breanna Stewart split a pair of free throws.

USA 47, Nigeria 31

4:07 p.m.: The U.S. lead is back to double digits after Kelsey Plum finds A’ja Wilson for another bucket.

Wilson’s got eight points and five boards and Team USA is up 11 with 3:50 left in the half. Timeout Nigeria.

USA 40, Nigeria 29

4:05 p.m.: It’s A’ja Wilson time.

Wilson scores back-to-back buckets and is up to six points and four rebounds in nine minutes of action. Her play is helping the USA stay ahead.

Midway through the second quarter, Team USA leads by six.

USA 35, Nigeria 29

4 p.m.: Nigeria is keeping it interesting and it’s a two-possession game early in the second frame.

With seven minutes left in the quarter, Team USA leads by six.

USA 31, Nigeria 25

End of first quarter: USA 26, Nigeria 17

3:47 p.m.: The American second unit made some big plays late and Team USA has a nine-point lead after one.

Breanna Stewart leads the way with seven points while Jackie Young has scored five points for Team USA.

Nigeria has responded to a few runs early and is led by a trio of players with four points apiece.

3:40 p.m.: Team USA is bringing the intensity and Jackie Young has picked up where she left off to close out group play.

Timeout on the floor as USA leads by six points midway through the first.

Young’s got a team-high four points on 2-of-4 shooting from the field and Nigeria has been held to 2-of-7 shooting early on.

USA 10, Nigeria 4

3:36 p.m.: It’s another slow start for Team USA and things are tied up with 6:45 to go in the first.

After Wilson got her first look to go, the Americans haven’t gotten much else going offensively just yet. 

USA 4, Nigeria 4

3:32 p.m.: A’ja Wilson wastes no time. She gets a driving layup to go to put Team USA on the board first.

The last game of the quarterfinal round is now underway.

Pregame

3:15 p.m.: A new starting five for Team USA: Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson will open things up against Nigeria with Diana Taurasi moving to the bench.

1:35 p.m.: Here they come.

Team USA is on the way to Bercy Arena as they are just three wins away from winning an eighth consecutive gold medal. The time is near.

7:30 a.m.: Australia takes care of business an advances to the semifinals with an impressive win over Serbia. The winner of Wednesday’s game between the USA and Nigeria will move on to face the Opals Friday.

How to watch USA vs. Nigeria at 2024 Paris Olympics

  • Date: Wednesday, Aug. 7
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: USA Network
  • Livestream: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, Fubo

Fans can watch Team USA take on Nigeria on USA Network on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

For those streaming the game, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com will broadcast the match. Fubo is also available and has a free trial.

MORE: 2024 women’s Olympic basketball standings: Updated scores, results

Women’s Olympic basketball schedule 2024

Wednesday, Aug. 7

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Quarterfinal Australia 85, Serbia 67 —
Quarterfinal Belgium 79, Spain 66 —
Quarterfinal France 84, Germany 71 —
Quarterfinal USA vs. Nigeria 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Semifinal France vs. Belgium 11:30 a.m.
Semifinal TBD vs. Australia 3 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11

Round Matchup Time (ET)
Bronze medal game TBD vs. TBD 5:45 a.m.
Gold medal game TBD vs. TBD 9:30 a.m.

Source