Men’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer Highlight US Olympic Sports for July 31

Nikola Jokic #15 of Team Serbia and Lebron James #6 of Team United States fight for a rebound during the second half of the game between Serbia and the United States on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France on July 28, 2024. Pool/Getty Images

The United States will compete in men’s basketball, women’s soccer, and water polo as part of a full day of games scheduled for Wednesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Here is what to watch.

US Men’s Basketball Looks to Keep Rolling

The U.S. men coasted past Serbia 110-84 in the Olympic opener, but the Americans could face a tougher battle against South Sudan on Wednesday.

Team USA needed a layup by Lebron James with eight seconds remaining in the game to knock off the South Sudanese 101-100 in an Olympic warmup on July 20.

The Americans have looked much better recently and had no problem with Serbia in the Paris opener.

James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, scored 21 points. Kevin Durant, a three-time gold medalist who missed the Olympic warm-ups with a calf strain, scored 23 points.

Jayson Tatum, who won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics this past season, didn’t even play because of a coach’s decision. Look for Tatum to get some minutes against South Sudan.

The United States is 144-6 overall in Olympic play, 56-0 when scoring more than 100 points.

Puerto Rico plays Serbia in the other game.

US Women’s Soccer Takes on Australia 

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team had a dominant  3-0 win against Zambia to open the Olympics and a dynamic 4-1 victory over Germany in the second group stage match.

Sophia Smith #11 of Team United States holds off Janina Minge #6 of Team Germany (R) during the Women's group B match between United States and Germany during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France on July 28, 2024. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The Americans finish Group B play against Australia at Stade de Marseille on Wednesday. A win or a draw against Australia will clinch first place in the group for the Americans.

The United States has a plus-6 goal difference in group play, with Germany at even and Australia at minus 2. This means the Americans could finish on top of the group and advance even with a defeat.

The game will be the 35th meeting of all time between the United States and Australia and their fourth meeting at the Olympics. Two of the previous three Olympic meetings came in 2021 in Tokyo. The teams played in the final group stage game of the 2004 Olympics that ended in a 1-1 draw. There is plenty of familiarity between the team.

Defending World Cup champion Spain is the favorite to win the gold medal, followed by the United States and France.

Women’s Water Polo Seek Bounce Back

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Water Polo Team is looking to get back on track against Italy on Wednesday after suffering just its second loss in Olympic Games play over the last 12 years.

The Americans had a 13-11 setback to Spain in their second game. Jordan Raney scored the first two goals of her Olympic career and Ashleigh Johnson added 13 saves but Team USA couldn’t overcome a five-goal deficit in the second half. Bea Ortiz led Spain with five goals.

U.S.' #06 Maggie Steffens shoots the ball in the women's water polo preliminary round group B match between U.S. and Spain during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on July 29, 2024. Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images

The United States beat Greece 15-6 in the opener. The Italians lost to France 9-8 in their only game of the tournament thus far.

The United States leads the all-time series against Italy 20-4.

US Field Hockey Takes on Australia

The U.S. women’s field hockey team will try to get its first win in this summer’s Olympic Games when the Americans take on Australia on Wednesday.

After losing 4-1 to Argentina in the opener, Team USA managed a 1-1 tie against Spain 1-1 on Monday. Sophia Gladieux scored for the United States, but Begonya Garcia tied it for Spain in the second quarter.

The Americans have one point in the Pool B standings. There are six teams each in Pool A and Pool B. After the nations play the five teams in their respective divisions, the top four from each pool advance to the quarterfinals.

US Hopes in Synchronized Diving

Americans Jessica Parratto and Delany Schnell are competing in 10-meter platform synchronized diving at this Olympics on Wednesday and are considered medal contenders. They will compete with Great Britain, Mexico, China, France, North Korea, Canada, and Ukraine in the final.

Parratto and Schnell earned a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games. In addition, Parratto and Amy Cozad finished seventh in the 10-meter platform synchro at the 2016 Rio Games.