Caitlin Clark impressed in her debut at the FIBA World Cup, contributing 14 points and 11 assists as the U.S. women’s basketball team began their campaign with a strong victory. Without star player A’ja Wilson, the team dominated China 94-61 in Berlin. This match was a repeat of the 2022 World Cup championship game, where the U.S. won 83-61.
The U.S. extended their winning streak to 67 games in Olympic and World Cup competitions, dating back to the 2006 semifinals against Russia. They have also won 31 straight World Cup games. Kara Lawson debuted as head coach, succeeding Cheryl Reeve, and maintained the U.S. tradition of relying on experienced players.
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The starting lineup featured 2024 Olympic gold medalists Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart. Emerging talents like Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese came off the bench. “Being surrounded by five people that have won a gold medal before at the highest level, you just try to follow their lead,” Clark remarked. “Whatever role I have, I’m going to come in and do it to the best of my ability.”
Clark’s 11 assists were the most for an American woman in a FIBA World Cup game since Dawn Staley achieved 12 in 1998, as reported by FIBA. Teresa Edwards was the last U.S. woman to record a double-double in points and assists during a global championship, with 20 points and 15 assists in the 1996 Olympics against Australia.
Clark commented, “Anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they’re never going to miss a shot. That’s one of my goals when I come into the game, facilitate, play fast, set up my teammates, get into the paint, get some penetration.” She, Bueckers, and Rhyne Howard each led the scoring with 14 points. Clark had significant playing time with 25 minutes and no turnovers, while Bueckers played 20 minutes.
Coach Lawson praised Clark’s performance, noting her ability to change the game tempo and her playmaking skills. All 12 players scored and played at least 10 minutes, despite Wilson’s absence and Kelsey Plum’s recent roster removal due to health issues. Plum is out for the remainder of the WNBA season with a reported lower leg injury.
“Both of them, obviously, been great players for us. I’ll miss being around them, but ultimately, we’ve kind of moved on,” Lawson said. “We’ve got to focus and prepare for this tournament with the 12 players that are here. So, we wish them both a speedy recovery with what they’re dealing with. Our group, we don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves and how we’re going to develop our chemistry in the short lead-up and trying to win.”
The U.S. team will face Italy next on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET, then finish group play against Czechia on Monday at 2:45. Challenges are anticipated in the knockout rounds starting with quarterfinals next Thursday.
In the 2024 Olympics, the U.S. narrowly beat host France 67-66 in a tense final. France poses a potential challenge in this World Cup too, boasting eight WNBA players, second only to the U.S.