A'ja Wilson makes Paris Olympics history as Team USA continues incredible streak

A'ja Wilson tallied a double-double to make history as Team USA advanced to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics .

On Thursday, Team USA secured a 80-67 win over Belgium. The win was USA Women’s Basketball’s 57th consecutive Olympic victory, with Wilson and Breanna Stewart inspiring the performance.

Las Vegas Aces star Wilson led the way with an incredible double-double, scoring 23 points and 13 rebounds with three steals. It was the 27-year-old’s second successive double-double, after her 24-point and 13-rebound outing versus Japan .

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As a result, Wilson becomes the only player in the 2024 Olympics, men’s or women’s to record multiple double-doubles. She started slowly against Belgium, scoring four points in the opening quarter with three turnovers before finding her rhythm late, ending the game shooting 9-of-17 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Wilson also dominated in the paint, scoring all of her points there. Belgium had no answer for the two-time WNBA MVP. Stewart also impressed, leading the way with 26 points to go with seven rebounds.

Stewart set the tone early with 13 points on 5-5 shots in a scintillating first quarter. The USA led 46-38 at halftime, and while Belgium kept pace with their opponents, the reigning Olympic champions established a double-digit lead down the stretch.

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More history was made by Team USA as veteran guard Diana Taurasi became the first Olympic Games basketball athlete to reach 40 wins. However, the Phoenix Mercury icon struggled; she shot 0-3 from the floor - including 0-2 from three - to finish with zero points in 14 minutes.

Aside from Stewart and Wilson, no Team USA star scored double-digit points. Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Lloyd both scored eight points off the bench, highlighting the depth of the roster.

The Americans haven't lost a game in the Olympics since 1992 in Barcelona, more than three decades ago. Team USA has earned gold in nine of the past 10 Olympics, and Wilson and co. are going for gold again in Paris.