Is A'ja Wilson playing vs Germany? A look at USA stars availability for Olympics game

By Sahir Bhojwani

Modified Aug 03, 2024 11:46 GMT

USA Women's National Team star A'ja Wilson was expected to play a big role for her nation at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 27-year-old has delivered. Wilson has been outstanding in the group stage, leading her team to two dominant victories to start the tournament. Wilson is healthy and is set to suit up and once again take the court for the USA against Germany on Sunday.

A lopsided 102-76 win over Japan was followed by an 87-74 win over Belgium as Team USA kicked off their Olympic campaign in style. Cheryl Reeve's team will now face their biggest challenge of the tournament with an undefeated Germany team next on the schedule.

A'ja Wilson has led by example with back-to-back double-doubles to start the competition. Against Japan, the Las Vegas Aces All-Star finished with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. She recorded 23 points, 13 rebounds and three steals against Belgium on Thursday.

Wilson and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart have created a formidable partnership in France. The two players combined for 46 of the team's 102 points versus Japan, 45 percent of USA's total points. In the following game versus Belgium, they went one step further, combining for 49 of the team's 87 points (56.3 percent).

Germany has had a strong start to the Olympics but if Wilson can maintain the form she has shown in the opening games, it will be hard to see the European nation pulling off an upset on Sunday.

A'ja Wilson was a member of the USA team that won a gold medal at the Toyko Olympics

United States forward A'Ja Wilson shoots against Belgium center Kyara Linskens during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Credit: Imagn

The United States has set the standard when it comes to women's basketball on the international stage. The team is currently on an incredible 57-game win streak entering the Germany game. They will aim to win their eighth straight gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A'ja Wilson was a member of the team that defeated Japan to win gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. She ranked fourth overall in points per game (16.5) and eighth in rebounds per game (7.3) at the tournament.

Led by Brittney Griner, Breanna Stewart and Wilson, the United States overpowered their opponents in Tokyo to win a seventh consecutive gold medal. With all three of those players returning for this year's competition, anything less than a gold medal will be considered a disappointment for the United States.