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A14 SPORTS
Friday 23 September 2022

Stewart, debuting Thomas help US beat Belgium in WCup opener

By DOUG FEINBERG quarter and put the game
AP Basketball Writer away.
SYDNEY (AP) — It’s been a The U.S. did a stellar job de-
whirlwind week for Alyssa fensively on Belgian Emma
Thomas. Meesseman. The Chicago
She went from losing in Sky star led the Olympics in
the WNBA Finals on Sun- scoring last year, averaging
day to flying 10,000 miles 26.8 points. She had four
to Australia a day later to against the U.S, which has
play for the United States now won 23 consecutive
in the World Cup. Thomas World Cup games since los-
had 14 points, nine assists ing in the 2006 semifinals to
and seven rebounds in her Russia. The Americans are
debut for the Americans, three wins short of match-
who beat Belgium 87-72 in ing their record 26-game
the tournament opener on run from 1998-2006.
Thursday. Julie Vanloo scored 13
After finding out she’d be points to lead Belgium.
on the U.S. roster, she never “Really proud of this young
gave any thought to skip- team,” Meesseman said.
ping the World Cup. “Sometimes we lacked fo-
“Excited to be a part of this, cus but a lot to be proud of
been waiting a long time,” and looking forward to the
the 30-year-old Thomas United States’ Alyssa Thomas, left, shoots over Belgium’s Julie Allemand during their women’s next few games.”
said. Basketball World Cup game in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. NEW NUMBER
U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve Associated Press USA Basketball decided no
was impressed by what one will wear Griner’s No.
Thomas accomplished in was still missing Las Vegas in either the World Cup or release. 15 in this tournament. The
the short turnaround time. Aces players A’ja Wilson, Olympics. These teams met in the Americans have used num-
“It’s what I expected Alyssa Chelsea Gray and Kelsey This team is much different semifinals of the 2018 World bers 4 to 15 for a long time.
to do, as it’s just what she Plum. They were on their from the one that won a Cup, with the Americans Brionna Jones, who would
does. She’s a competitor way to Australia after cel- third straight gold in Spain in using a big third quarter to have been 15, wore No. 16.
and knows how to (play),” ebrating the franchise’s first 2018. Sue Bird is retired and pull away and win by 16. SCOREBOARD
Reeve said. “WNBA play- WNBA championship with Diana Taurasi is out as well. The Americans jumped out Puerto Rico beat Bosnia
ers don’t get enough credit a parade on Tuesday. The Brittney Griner, who would to a quick 12-0 lead be- and Herzegovina 82-58
for how well that they tran- trio is expected to be in have been on this team, fore Belgium settled down for the country’s first World
sition from overseas play Sydney on Friday. is in a Russian jail after be- to get within one. The U.S. Cup win. France topped
to WNBA play to national Thomas and her Connecti- ing convicted of drug pos- lengthened the lead again Australia 70-57, spoiling the
team play.” cut Sun teammate Brionna session last month in a po- behind Stewart and Loyd return of Lauren Jackson.
Breanna Stewart scored Jones, who also arrived on litically charged case and and was up 48-39 at the Canada beat Serbia 67-60;
22 points and Jewell Loyd Wednesday, were two of sentenced to nine years half. Japan routed Mali 89-56
also scored 14 for the short- six players on the roster who in prison. The U.S. govern- The Americans went on a and China blew past South
handed U.S. team, which hadn’t played for the U.S. ment is trying to secure her 12-4 run to start the third Korea 107-44.q

AP sources: Celtics considering

suspension of Ime Udoka

By TIM REYNOLDS of the possible suspension, two games short of winning
AP Basketball Writer has not been determined. the championship last sea-
The Boston Celtics are plan- ESPN first reported Wednes- son in his debut year.
ning to discipline coach day night that a suspension The Celtics open training
Ime Udoka, likely with a was under consideration camp on Tuesday. If Udoka
suspension, because of an for the team policy viola- will not be allowed to lead
improper relationship with tion. ESPN and The Athletic the team, the task would
a member of the organi- later reported that the Celt- almost certainly fall to one
zation, two people with ics’ investigation revolves of his assistants. A possible
knowledge of the matter around whether Udoka candidate, Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka reacts during the fourth quarter
told The Associated Press had an inappropriate rela- interviewed for the Utah of Game 6 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Golden State
on Thursday. The people tionship with a member of Jazz coaching job this sum- Warriors, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Boston.
spoke to the AP on condi- the organization. mer, a position that ulti- Associated Press
tion of anonymity because Losing Udoka would be a mately went to Will Hardy Miles and Tony Dobbins. leading Boston past Brook-

the reigning Eastern Con- significant blow to a team who was Udoka’s assistant Udoka had a brilliant first lyn, Milwaukee and Miami
ference champions have that is widely considered in Boston last season. season as coach of the on the way to the NBA Fi-
not revealed any details among the favorites to Udoka’s other assistant Celtics, finishing the regular nals. The Celtics lost the title
publicly. The exact punish- contend for an NBA title this coaches are Damon Stou- season at 51-31 going 26-6 series to the Golden State
ment, including the length season, after falling only demire, Ben Sullivan, Aaron in the final 32 games and Warriors in six games.q