Australia's Opals defeat Puerto Rico 70-54 in Women's Basketball World Cup opener
Quick Look
- Australia's women's basketball team, the Opals, opened their World Cup campaign with a 70-54 victory over Puerto Rico in Berlin.
- Steph Talbot earned player-of-the-game honors with 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
- The Opals next face Türkiye on Sunday and Belgium on Monday.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Opals are ranked third in the world behind the USA and France, were unbeaten in qualifying and won the Asia Cup in 2025. They have medaled in three of the past four World Cups, including gold in Brazil 20 years ago, silver in Spain in 2018, and bronze in Türkiye in 2014 and Australia in 2022.
In short:
The Opals have won their World Cup opener with a 70-54 defeat of Puerto Rico.
Steph Talbot was named player of the game after scoring 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
What's next?
The Opals play Türkiye in their next pool game on Sunday and Belgium the following day.
Australia's women's basketball team have begun their World Cup campaign in Germany with an entertaining 70-54 win over Puerto Rico.
The Opals were pushed throughout by their opponents in the Group C opener in Berlin.
Steph Talbot was superb for Australia, earning the player-of-the-game award after posting 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Ezi Magbegor also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points and led the way on the boards with nine.
Alanna Smith starred with 10 points and eight rebounds but left the court during the game with what looked like a lower left-leg injury.
Jade Melbourne chipped in with 10 points, while Zitina Aokuso and Isobel Borlaise had six each to help get the job done on day one of competition.
Arella Guirantes (14 points), Trinity San Antonio (11) and Imani McGee-Stafford (11) were Puerto Rico's top scorers.
Ranked third in the world behind the USA and France, the Opals were unbeaten in qualifying and crowned Asia Cup champions in 2025.
They have won medals in three of the past four World Cups since winning gold in Brazil 20 years ago.
They claimed silver in Spain in 2018, as well as bronze in Türkiye four years earlier and again on home soil in 2022.
The Opals face world number 16 Türkiye on Sunday and fifth-ranked Belgium the following day.
AAP
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Opals will play Türkiye in their next pool game on Sunday
Very likely · Within days
The Opals will play Belgium the day after their game against Türkiye
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What is the extent of Alanna Smith's lower left-leg injury?
- Will Alanna Smith be available for the upcoming games against Türkiye and Belgium?