USA Women's basketball vs. Belgium highlights: US battle Belgium to win

The U.S. national women's basketball team continued their road to another Olympic gold medal today against Belgium in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games group stage. The United States won 87-74, backed by Breanna Stewart's game-high 26 points.

Two-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson was a massive factor in Thursday's win as well, racking up 13 rebounds and 23 points. Wilson could very well be on pace for tournament MVP, should the United States win their eighth straight gold medal.

Belgium entered the Olympics as Team USA's biggest threat in Group C as FIBA ranks Belgium No. 6 in the world. But they lost the first matchup of group play to Germany 83-69. Emma Meesseman had a game-high 25 points in the loss and Washington Mystics guard Julie Vanloo had 18 points and six assists.

With America's win, Team USA has clinched a spot in the quarterfinals and continue their journey to another gold.

The USA TODAY app brings you every Team USA medal -- right when it happens.Download for full Olympics coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and much more.

USA vs. Belgium highlights

When does Team USA play next?

The United States will play Germany (2-0) on Sunday, August 4 in what will determine the winner of Group C. Both teams have already secured their spot in the quarterfinals, but a win on Sunday could secure an easier path to gold in the knockout rounds.

The game is set to tip off at 11:15 a.m. ET with the broadcast starting at 11 a.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on USA Network and can be streamed on Peacock.

Final: USA 87 - Belgium 74

Ionescu hit a very deep three with two seconds left. It was an unnecessary three points, but it was incredible to watch. The crowd, which was very much behind Belgium didn't care for the shot, but Ionescu simply told them to shush with her finger to her mouth.

This win secures a spot for the United States in the quarterfinals. Germany clinched their spot in the quarterfinals today as well. Both teams will play each other for Group C supremacy on Sunday, August 4.

Technical foul seals Belgium's fate

With under two minutes to go and the United States up ten, Belgium was called for a questionable technical foul for holding Sabrina Ionescu. The U.S. would go on to hit two free throws putting them up 12 with very little time.

A'ja Wilson dominating the glass

With 13 rebounds in this game, Wilson was getting awfully close to the USA women's basketball single-game record (16). Through two games, Wilson has been one of the best scorers for the U.S. while remaining an elite rebounder and interior defender. If the United States wins gold, she could be on pace for tournament MVP honors.

Stewart steal leads to points for U.S.

After the pair of threes, the United States' own MVP had a web gem of her own, picking Delaere's pocket and leading to a transition layup from A'ja Wilson.

Stewart then got the next four points for the U.S. as well on a pair of fast breaks. She once again leads all scorers with 22 points.

Belgium bites back with back-to-back threes

After the United States got off to an 8-2 run to start the fourth, Antoina Delaere hit back-to-back threes for Belgium to cut the lead down to six. The United States has never lost their lead, but Belgium refuses to go away with five minutes to go.

Jewell Loyd breaks the dry stretch with a three-pointer

After another strong defensive sequence from Belgium, the U.S. managed to get two of their own rebounds and find Loyd open on the right wing for the open three.

Perhaps that was the momentum that the U.S. needed, because within 20 seconds after that three, the U.S. got two more points via a transition layup from Kelsey Plum. The United States leads by 13 with seven minutes to go.

United States struggling to find good looks

Belgium's defense has been stifling since the start of the second half, holding the U.S. to just 14 points in the last 11 minutes. The United States has relied on free throws, points in transition, and lucky chucks to keep putting points up. Most of their looks when getting set up have been limited to low-efficiency shots.

Who knows what Belgium discussed in the locker room at half, but it has turned this game on its head.

Meesseman breathes life into Belgium

This was far and away the United States worst quarter of the game, but even with Emma Meesseman outplaying everyone else on the court, Belgium only won the quarter by a single point. Napheesa Collier and Brittney Griner did their best to keep the United States on top toward the end of the quarter, but it was Meesseman who had the crowd roaring throughout.

She leads all scorers with 20 points and could be America's undoing in the fourth if they're not careful.

Belgium off to hot start in third

Emma Meesseman was massive for the Belgians at the start of the second half, helping cut the American lead down to just four points. Meesseman was given some much needed rest soon after, but when the United States scored the next points, the Belgians decided they needed to put her back in. U.S. leads 52-46.

United States leads by 8 at half

After a massive quarter from Jewell Loyd and A'ja Wilson, the United States pulled out to their biggest lead of the game. The U.S. bench is playing a massive role in this game, outscoring the Belgian bench 16-4. As it stands, Stewart (15), Wilson (10), and Belgium's Emma Meesseman (12) are the only players with double-digit points.

Massive block from Breanna Stewart

Not only is Stewart leading all scorers in points (13, on 5-of-5 shooting), but she's also doing great work on the defensive end. With the United States up 8, the Belgians had a good look at the basket and a backdoor cut, but Stewart came flying in with a giant fly swatter. Something about the Olympics brings out the best in Stewart. She was the MVP of the Tokyo Olympics three years ago after all.

That block would turn into a three-pointer from Loyd on the other end to give the United States their first double-digit lead of the game. The U.S. leads 40-29.

Great ball movement sequence from U.S.

The United States had come blazing out of the gates, with an 8-2 run to start the second. Their final points of that stretch came on a sequence of great passes around the rim, resulting in a short jumper by Alyssa Thomas off the feed from Jewell Loyd.

Tie game after the first

Despite Belgium's incredible run in the last five minutes, the United States and Belgium are knotted at 23 after the first quarter. The United States struggled with turnovers, but that didn't stop Chelsea Gray from dropping several dimes throughout the quarter. She had three in the first four minutes. The U.S. as a whole had only five assists in the first

Breanna Stewart leads all scorers with 11 on 4-of-4 shooting.

Belgium on 10-0 run

As soon as the United States started to pull away, leading 17-12, their biggest lead of the game, Belgium got hot. Specifically Washington Mystics guard Julie Vanloo, who scored seven straight points to give Belgium a 19-17 lead. Vanloo's shooting streak came to an end after a heat check on a deep three clanked out, but that didn't stop Belgium's streak. Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka would add two free throws to make it a 10-0 run before Brittney Griner would end the streak with a second-chance layup. Belgium leads 21-19.

Back and forth early on

This seems like it will be a very close matchup between the United States and Belgium. Halfway through the first quarter, the largest lead for either team is only four points, and that was when the United States went up 4-0 to start the game. Since then, the United States has mostly been in the lead, with Belgium mostly playing on their heels. They are currently tied 10-10 with five minutes to go in the first.

Belgium wins the tip

Belgium's Kyara Linskens wins the jump ball for her team, but the Belgians are unable to score on their first possession.

USA vs. Belgium: Time, TV, streaming and how to watch

• Date: Thursday, Aug. 1

• Time: 3 p.m. ET | noon PT

• Location: Lille, France

• TV: USA Network

• Streaming: Peacock, Fubo (free trial)

HOW TO WATCH: Catch the Paris Olympics with a Peacock subscription

What time is the Team USA women's game?

The game will broadcast starting at 2:45 p.m. ET on USA Network.

How can I watch Team USA women play Belgium?

The game will be broadcasted on USA and stream across Peacock and fubo TV.

Paris 2024 Olympics women's 5x5 basketball groups

Group A:

• China

• Puerto Rico

• Serbia

• Spain

Group B:

• Australia

• Canada

• France

• Nigeria

Group C:

• Belgium

• Germany

• Japan

• United States

Paris Olympics 2024 women's basketball standings

Group A

Group B

Group C

Team USA women's basketball roster

• Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

• Kahleah Cooper, Phoenix Mercury

• Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces

• Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

• Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

• Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm

• Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

• Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

• Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury

• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

• A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

• Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

Belgium roster

• Elise Ramette, AE Sedis Bàsquet

• Antonia Delaere, CB Avenida

• Laure Résimont, Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen

• Emma Meesseman, Fenerbahçe (captain)

• Kyara Linskens, Lattes Montpellier

• Nastja Claessens, KBT ION Waregem

• Bethy Mununga, ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq

• Becky Massey, IDK Euskotren

• Maxuelle Lisowa-Mbaka, ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq

• Billie Massey, CB Estudiantes

• Julie Vanloo, Washington Mystics

• Ine Joris, BC Castors Braine

Paris Olympics 2024: How to watch the Summer Games across TV and streaming

Every event at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be aired live across NBC, USA Network, E!, CNBC, GOLF Channel, and there will be a Spanish broadcast on Universo and Telemundo. All events will be available to stream live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

Date: July 24-Aug. 11

TV: Games broadcast across NBC, USA Network, E!, Telemundo, Universo, CNBC and Golf Channel

Streaming: Peacock, nbcolympics.com, fuboTV

USA women's basketball Olympics schedule: Time and TV

Group stage

• July 29 - Women's Group Phase, Group C: United States 102 - 76 Japan

• August 1 - Women's Group Phase, Group C: Belgium vs. United States: 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

• August 4 - Women's Group Phase, Group C: Germany vs. United States: 11:15 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

Knockout stage

• August 7 - Women's Quarterfinals: Games start between 5 a.m. ET - 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

• August 9 - Women's Semifinal: 11:30 p.m. ET or 3 p.m. on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

• August 11 - Women's Bronze Medal Game: 5:30 a.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

• August 11 - Women's Gold Medal Game: 9:30 a.m. ET on NBC, Peacock and NBCOlympics.com.

Team USA men's 2024 Paris Olympic Games schedule

For the men, here is how the early games shake out.

• July 28 vs. Serbia, 110-84 W

• July 31 vs. South Sudan, 103-86 W

• August 3 vs. Puerto Rico, 11:15 a.m. ET

How many medals does Team USA women's basketball have?

Team USA women's basketball is the most decorated national women's basketball team in Olympic history. They've medaled in every Olympic Games tournament they've entered in:

• Gold: 1984 (Los Angeles), 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney), 2004 (Athens), 2008 (Beijing), 2012 (London), 2016 (Rio), 2020 (Tokyo)

• Silver: 1976 (Montreal)

• Bronze: 1992 (Barcelona)

Through 11 Olympic Games, Team USA women's basketball has only lost three games. Only two players on this year's

Is Caitlin Clark on the USA women's basketball Olympic team?

Clark did not make the Team USA women's basketball team. The Indiana Fever guard is enjoying one of the best rookie seasons in WNBA history but wasn't included on the roster. WNBA Rookies have made the U.S. Olympic team in the past: Breanna Stewart in 2016, Candace Parker in 2008, and Diana Taurasi in 2004.

Dawn Staley comments on Clark snub

Staley, a three-time Olympian and former Team USA coach, just won her third NCAA title this season over Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes and is part of the committee in charge of putting the Team USA roster together. She said on Sunday that Clark would've been under "really high consideration" for Team USA "if we had to do it all over again" during an interview with NBC's Mike Tirico.

“As a committee member, you’re charged with putting together the best team of players, the best talent,” Staley said. “Caitlin is just a rookie in the WNBA and wasn’t playing bad, but wasn’t playing like she’s playing now... She’s shooting the ball extremely well. She’s an elite passer. She’s just got a great basketball IQ. And she’s a little more seasoned in the pro game than she was two months ago.”

Olympic medal count

Our 2024 Paris Olympics medal count tracker updates after every single medal event.

Latest Olympic highlights and results

Follow along with all highlights and results from Sunday with USA TODAY's live blog.

Team USA women's starting lineup

Belgium starting lineup

• Elise Ramette

• Antonia Delaere

• Emma Meesseman

• Kyara Linskens

• Julie Vanloo

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US reach quarterfinals with hard-fought win over Belgium: Highlights