Olympics-Basketball 3x3-Japan women shock undefeated U.S. in pool round

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan’s women shocked an undefeated U.S. team packed with WNBA players on Tuesday as 3x3 basketball wound down to the elimination stage at its Olympics debut.

Mai Yamamoto led with eight points, including a critical two-pointer with about a minute left to put her team ahead. Japan advanced to 5-2 and second place in the pool round.

Japan head coach Torsten Loibl said the victory was important to show his team is ready for the knock-out stages.

“It’s not important to win or lose, but it’s a message,” he said from the stands moments after the final whistle sounded.

A late penalty gave Team USA 1.1 seconds to tie the game with a two-pointer. But Japan’s Stephanie Mawuli blocked an attempt from Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, sealing the 20-18 upset.

A light rain fell upon the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo as a typhoon approached Japan’s main island, a respite from three days of searing heat.

After final pool matches Tuesday afternoon, four teams will move ahead to quarterfinal matches in the evening. The U.S. women and the top-seeded Serbia https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/3x3-basketball-serbias-mr-bulletproof-adds-olympian-accolades-2021-07-24 men have secured their spots in the semifinals on Wednesday, which will also feature the medal matches.

With its Olympic debut, 3x3 is looking to boost its global profile as a faster-paced, more compact alternative to traditional basketball.

Enhancing that atmosphere, DJs play hip-hop music throughout competition in 3x3 games, in keeping with the sport’s urban roots.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Karishma Singh)

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Basketball 3x3 - Women - Pool A - United States v Japan - Aomi Urban Sports Park, Tokyo, Japan - July 27, 2021. Mai Yamamoto of Japan in action with Kelsey Plum of the United States during a match. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Basketball 3x3 - Women - Pool A - United States v Japan - Aomi Urban Sports Park, Tokyo, Japan - July 27, 2021. Stephanie Mawuli of Japan in action with Kelsey Plum of the United States during a match. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers

Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Basketball 3x3 - Women - Pool A - United States v Japan - Aomi Urban Sports Park, Tokyo, Japan - July 27, 2021. Allisha Gray of the United States in action with Risa Nishioka of Japan and Mai Yamamoto of Japan during a match. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers