Las Vegas at Olympics: Aces, U.S. cruise into gold medal game — PHOTOS

Cayla George (15), of Australia, attempts to block the shot of United States' Jackie Young (13) during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Jackie Young (13), Breanna Stewart (10) and Chelsea Gray (8) celebrate as Australia calls for a time out during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Jackie Young (13) makes a shot during a women's semifinal basketball game against Australia at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (Brian Snyder/Pool Photo via AP)

United States' Jackie Young (13) drives past Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Jackie Young (13) chases down the ball against Australia during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Jackie Young (13) goes up for a basket against Alanna Smith (11), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Sami Whitcomb (32), of Australia, drives under the pressure from United States' Jackie Young (13) and United States' Chelsea Gray (8) during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Jackie Young (13) scrambles for ball as Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, guards her during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Steph Talbot (6), of Australia, goes up for a basket against United States' A'ja Wilson (9) during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' A'ja Wilson (9) goes up against Ezi Magbegor (13), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' A'ja Wilson (9) passes the ball against Australia during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' A'ja Wilson (9) makes a shot during a women's semifinal basketball game against Australia at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (Brian Snyder/Pool Photo via AP)

United States' A'ja Wilson (9) blocks Kirsty Wallace (3), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' A'ja Wilson (9) shoots during a women's semifinal basketball game against Australia at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, Pool)

Ezi Magbegor (13), of Australia, and United States' A'ja Wilson (9) go for a rebound during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, tries to stop United States' A'ja Wilson (9) during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, Pool)

United States' Chelsea Gray (8) drives past Steph Talbot (6), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Chelsea Gray (8) and Alanna Smith (11), of Australia, battle for possession during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Chelsea Gray (8) stops Alanna Smith (11), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, and United States' Chelsea Gray (8) battle for possession during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

United States' Kelsey Plum (5) goes up for a basket against Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

United States' Kelsey Plum (5) goes up under pressure form Jade Melbourne (2), of Australia, during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Isobel Borlase (20), of Australia, drives with the ball past United States' Kelsey Plum (5) during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, putts on the 1st green during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 2nd green during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, hands her club to her caddie on the 2nd green during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, hits her shot from the 3rd tee during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd after after putting on the 5th green during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, hits her shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, looks down the 12th hole from the tee, she is wearing a name badge on her cap, during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, acknowledges the crowd after after making par on the 10th green during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, hits her shot from the 14th tee during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Rose Zhang, of the United States, walk off the 13th green after making par during the third round of the women's golf event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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From staff and wire reports

August 9, 2024 - 5:12 pm

Breanna Stewart and the U.S. women’s basketball team cruised to a familiar place — the Olympic gold medal game.

Stewart led a balanced offense as the Americans beat Australia 85-64 on Friday in the semifinals to extend their Olympic winning streak to 60 consecutive games dating back to the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The U.S. will face France for the gold medal at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time Sunday. France defeated Belgium 81-75 in overtime in the other semifinal.

“The streak is crazy. I mean, they just told me when I was doing TV that it was, like, before I was born that it kind of started, which is wild,” Stewart said. “It just goes to show those that have really paved the way and to create USA Basketball and what it is now. Tons of appreciation for that, and knowing that when you represent this jersey and wear USA across your chest, the standard is high and there really is nothing higher.”

And the team didn’t disappoint some notable onlookers, including Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, Kevin Durant and Vanessa Bryant and her children.

The U.S. is trying to become the first team — in any sport — to win eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, breaking the tie with the U.S. men’s program that won seven in a row from 1936-68.

The U.S. was able to take control of the game in the first half, allowing coach Cheryl Reeve the opportunity to play her starters limited minutes and give players on the bench more court time.

“The group that’s going to be out there is going to be a little more ready and rested to be able to give everything they had,” Reeve said.

A win Sunday would be a record sixth gold medal for Diana Taurasi. A game after not starting for the first time since the 2004 Olympics, the Americans’ most decorated Olympic basketball player didn’t enter the game until 2:08 remained in the third quarter with the U.S. up 63-40. She missed her two shots, playing just a little over 6 minutes.

The U.S. jumped out to an early lead on Australia, but only were up 20-16 after the opening quarter. The Americans put the game away in the second quarter, starting the period with a 12-0 run. The U.S. led 45-27 at the half.

Aces guard Jackie Young added 14 points, Kahleah Copper 11 and Aces forward A’ja WIlson 10 for the Americans.

Isobel Borlase led Australia with 11, and Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor each had 10.

There was no shortage of WNBA players on the court.

But while the American team features 12 WNBA All-Stars who have won multiple MVPs, the Australia roster is full of complementary players in the league. The Opals, who started five WNBA players, just didn’t have enough offensive firepower to compete with the U.S. juggernaut.

In the end, the U.S. once again denied the Australians a chance at a gold medal in what’s been a one-sided affair between the teams. The Opals have never beaten the U.S. in Olympic competition, losing in the gold medal game in 2000, ’04 and ’08.

The Australians also lost to the U.S. in the semifinals of the 1996 and 2012 Olympics.

— Women’s golf: Las Vegas resident Rose Zhang shot 5-under 67 to move into a tie for third at 7-under 209 entering the final round. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux lead at 9 under.

Saturday’s locals schedule

— Midnight: Women’s golf, final round, Rose Zhang (U.S.)

Sunday’s locals schedule

— 6:30 a.m.: Women’s basketball, gold medal game, U.S. (Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young) vs. France

Olympic TV schedule

SATURDAY

NBC

— 7 a.m.: Women’s water polo, gold medal game, Australia vs. Spain (live, joined in progress)

— 8 a.m.: Women’s soccer, gold medal game, U.S. vs. Brazil (live)

— 10 a.m.: Track and field, finals (live)

— 12:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, gold medal game, U.S. vs. France (live)

— 3 p.m.: Rhythmic gymnastics, group final (replay)

— 3:30 p.m.: Canoe and kayak, finals (replay)

— 4 p.m.: Men’s volleyball, gold medal match, France vs. Poland

— 8 p.m.: Primetime in Paris (replays of track and field finals, men’s basketball gold medal game, men’s diving 10-meter platform final and men’s breaking final)

— 11:35 p.m.: Late Night (replays of men’s beach volleyball gold medal match and women’s sports climbing combined final)

CNBC

— 1 a.m.: Women’s handball, bronze medal match, Denmark vs. Sweden (live)

— 2:30 a.m.: Women’s canoe, sprint semifinals (live) and women’s beach volleyball gold medal match (replay)

— 4 a.m.: Canoe, sprint finals (live)

— 5 a.m.: Rhythmic gymnastics, group final (live)

— 6:30 a.m.: Women’s table tennis, team bronze medal match

— 8:15 a.m.: Women’s volleyball, bronze medal match, Brazil vs. Turkey (live)

— 10:15 a.m.: Women’s table tennis, team gold medal match

— 11:30 a.m.: Men’s cycling, Madison

— Noon: Weightlifting, finals

— 12:30 p.m.: Boxing, finals

— 1 p.m.: Weightlifting, finals

— 1:40 p.m.: Taekwondo, finals

— 2 p.m.: Boxing, finals

— 2:30 p.m.: Wrestling, finals

— 1 a.m.: Men’s diving, 10-meter platform semifinal (live)

— 3 a.m.: Women’s water polo, bronze medal game, U.S. vs. Netherlands

— 4:30 a.m.: Women’s sport climbing, combined final (live)

— 6 a.m.: Men’s diving, 10-meter platform final (live)

— 7:30 a.m.: Men’s breaking, qualification (live)

— 9:15 a.m.: Rhythmic gymnastics, group final

— 11 a.m.: Men’s breaking, final (live)

Golf Channel

— Midnight: Women’s golf, final round (live)

— 4 a.m.: Women’s golf, final round (live)

USA

— 1:15 a.m.: Weightlifting, finals

— 2 a.m.: Men’s basketball, bronze medal game, Germany vs. Serbia (live)

— 4 a.m.: Boxing and taekwondo, finals

— 5 a.m.: Weightlifting, finals

— 5:30 a.m.: Wrestling, eliminations

— 6 a.m.: Women’s handball, gold medal match, Norway vs. France (live)

— 7:30 a.m.: Men’s marathon (replay)

— 10 a.m.: Men’s basketball, bronze medal game, Germany vs. Serbia (replay)

— Noon: Men’s beach volleyball, bronze medal match, Qatar vs. Norway (live)

— 1 p.m.: Wrestling, finals

— 1:30 p.m.: Men’s beach volleyball, gold medal match, Sweden vs. Germany (live)

— 3 p.m.: Women’s soccer, gold medal game, U.S. vs. Brazil (replay)

— 5 p.m.: Women’s handball, gold medal match, Norway vs. France (replay)

— 6:30 p.m.: Women’s water polo, bronze medal game, U.S. vs. Netherlands (replay)

— 7:30 p.m.: Women’s water polo, gold medal game, Australia vs. Spain (replay)

— 9 p.m.: Men’s basketball, gold medal game, U.S. vs. France (replay)

— 11 p.m.: Women’s marathon (live)

SUNDAY

NBC

— 6 a.m.: Cycling, men’s keirin, women’s sprint and omnium

— 6:30 a.m.: Women’s basketball, gold medal game, U.S. vs. France (live)

— 9 a.m.: Women’s marathon (replay)

— 11 a.m.: Best of Paris 2024

— Noon: Closing ceremony (live)

— 3 p.m.: Women’s volleyball, gold medal match, U.S. vs. Italy

— 7 p.m.: Closing ceremony (replay)

USA

— 1:30 a.m.: Men’s water polo, bronze medal game, U.S. vs. Hungary (live)

— 2:45 a.m.: Women’s basketball, bronze medal game, Belgium vs. Australia (live)

— 4:30 a.m.: Men’s handball, gold medal match, Germany vs. Denmark (live)

— 6 a.m.: Men’s water polo, gold medal game, Serbia vs. Croatia (live, joined in progress)

— 6:30 a.m.: Weightlifting, finals

— 7 a.m.: Wrestling, finals

— 8 a.m.: Men’s handball, bronze medal match, Spain vs. Slovenia

— 9 a.m.: Men’s handball, gold medal match, Germany vs. Denmark (replay)

— 10:30 a.m.: Men’s water polo, bronze medal game, U.S. vs. Hungary (replay)

— 11:30 a.m.: Men’s water polo, gold medal game, Serbia vs. Croatia (replay)

— 12:30 p.m.: Women’s basketball, gold medal game, U.S. vs. France (replay)