The United States Women’s 3×3 basketball team suffered a shocking defeat at the Paris Olympics, losing 20-17 to Azerbaijan in the pool stage. This unexpected loss comes after the team was defeated by Germany in their opening game of the tournament, putting them at the bottom of the pool standings.
Former WNBA guard Tiffany Hayes, who now plays for Azerbaijan, played a crucial role in securing the victory against her former country. Hailey van Lith, a key player for the United States, missed a crucial 2-pointer in the final moments of the game, sealing the win for Azerbaijan.
Despite the disappointing results, the American team remains optimistic about their chances in the competition. Dearica Hamby, a player on the U.S. women’s team, expressed confidence that they still have five more games to turn things around and strive for the gold medal.
On the men’s side, the U.S. team also faced defeat, losing to Poland in a close match. The French men, on the other hand, delighted the home crowd with a narrow victory over Lithuania, securing their spot at the top of the men’s pool standings.
In other exciting matchups, defending champion Latvia emerged victorious against the Netherlands, while China pulled off a surprise win against gold medal favorite Serbia. The competition is heating up as teams battle it out in the pool stage to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Despite the setbacks, both U.S. teams are determined to bounce back and showcase their best performances in the remaining games. With fierce competition and unexpected results, the Paris Olympics 3×3 basketball tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle for fans around the world.
