U.S. women's basketball team scores 7th straight Olympic gold medal

• The win also marks Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi's fifth gold medal each, giving them the most golds of any other basketball player. It was Bird's last Olympics.

From the floor: Japan played tough agains the U.S., keeping the score close for most of the first half on the back of hustle and strong three-point shooting. But the U.S. took over in the third quarter, extending its lead to more than 20.

• In particular, Japan had no answer for Team USA's Brittney Griner, who dominated in the paint. She led all scorers, racking up 30 points — a new Olympic gold medal game scoring record.

What they're saying: Bird said after the game she "couldn't have asked for a better ending."

• "I feel so proud I've been able to wear this uniform for as long as I have, to play along side this one as long as I have," she said Taurasi, with whom she walked off the court arm-in-arm.
• "We've won, and that's obviously the story, but I don't think there's anyone else I’d rather do it with because we just have so much fun and I love you homie."

• Taurasi made clear she's ready for the 2024 Olympics, saying: "See you in Paris!"

The big picture: The U.S. team has a great deal of Olympic experience as half of the players participating in Tokyo won gold at the 2016 Rio Games.

• The team won against France in the preliminary round, 93-82. They went on to beat Australia and Serbia.

Of note: The game fell on U.S. player A'ja Wilson's 25th birthday.

Go deeper: Full Axios Olympics coverage

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Bird and Taurasi.