After a miserable first half, Yi Jianlian showed flashes of brilliance in the second as Team USA crushed China, 101-71, in what was the most watched basketball game ever. Yi scored 9 points, but all came after the game was out of reach. NBC's Doug Collins called Yi a "terrific athlete, a very good player" but questioned his commitment and conditioning. Presidents of both nations were on hand for the game.
- USA breaks Chinese hearts, 100 points - Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
- US beats China 101-70 in Olympic opener - AP
- Boxscore - NBC Olympics
- Photo Gallery: USA 101, China 71 - Jed Jacobsen - NBC Olympics
- USA 101, China 71 (video) - NBC Olympics
- Doug Collins on Yi Jianlian - NBC Olympics
- U.S. Cruises Past Host China - NBA.com
- U.S. Beats Host China 101-70 in Men's Basketball Olympic Opener - Erik Matuszewski - Bloomberg
- Yao Leaves His Miracle at Home, Loses to U.S. - Tom Ziller - The Sporting News
- Redeem Team tops China in opener - Charles F. Gardner - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
- USA defeats China in basketball opener - UPI
- Team USA Defeats China 101-70 - Tom Ziller - AOL Fan House
- China, U.S. in Games spotlight with medal haul and presidential meeting - Zhou Yan & Zhou Xiaozheng - Xinhua
- China fired up in 101-70 loss to U.S. Dream Team - Shan Lei - Xinhua
- USA Men Open Olympic Play With Convincing 101-70 Win Over Host China - USA Basketball
- Q&A after U.S. hammers China - Alex Wolff - Sports Illustrated
- U.S. Men Off to a Good Start - John Schuhmann - NBA.com
- U.S., China put on a show for the fans - Alan Paul - NBC Olympics
- Watching China-U.S. Hoops With the Workers at a Beijing Restaurant - Jennifer 8. Lee - New York Times
- US provide glamour and likely gold to leave China seeing stars - Matt Dickinson - London Times
- Chinese root for Yao Ming, but love NBA pizzaz - Tim Johnson - McClatchy Newspapers
- China-USA Men's Basketball, What a night! - Mary Nicole Nazzaro - China Daily
- A strong opening act for the United States - Marc Narducci - Hoopshype