Day 1 of FIBA World Cup motion noticed eight contests happen, and Group USA established themselves because the clear favourite.

The Individuals made the No. 4-ranked nation, China, look pedestrian, beating them 94-61. Different favorites similar to France took care of enterprise as effectively. They beat Hungary 99-53. Spain additionally dominated, beating Germany 83-53.

Whereas no main upsets occurred on the opening day of play, there have been loads of spectacular performances.

Caitlin Clark debuts with a double-double for Group USA

Caitlin Clark was unstoppable towards China. They couldn’t cease her from getting her 3-ball going. At any time when she needed to enter the paint, she did, and along with her top-percentile passes reaching the palms of Group USA gamers, she had oodles of dimes.

She ended the night time with a double-double and had a formidable zero-turnover recreation. It’s early, however Clark enjoying so effectively towards one of many higher groups on this competitors may sign that Group USA will cruise to a different World Cup title.

How Angel Reese, Kiki Iriafen battled China’s bigs

Whereas Clark dominated within the backcourt, the Group USA gamers had their palms full within the frontcourt.

China has unreal dimension, with Zhang Ziyu listed at 7-foot-3 and Han Xu at 6-foot-11. Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen, standing 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3, respectively, needed to tackle these defensive duties with A’ja Wilson out for this competitors. They did a stellar job.

Each did their work early, fronting Zhang and Han, doing the whole lot potential to disclaim them the ball. And after they did get it, they made certain it was within the least advantageous positions potential. These ball entries had been farther from the basket, off-balance and highly-contested.

Ziyu scored 13 factors off the bench, however 9 of them had been from the free throw line. Xu had 11 factors, however struggled from the sphere, taking pictures 5-for-14.

France’s Massive 3 got here to play

France misplaced to Group USA within the 2024 Olympic remaining by only one level—and so they appear able to avenge that loss within the World Cup.

Their Massive 3 of Marine Johannès, Dominique Malonga and Gabby Williams, all scored 17 factors in France’s 99-53 win over Hungary.

This trio is nearly as good because it will get. Williams transformed on 70 p.c of her pictures and Johannès knocked down 4 3-pointers.

Whereas Johannès and Williams dominated on the perimeter, Malonga did her harm on the within. Each time she touched the ball, good issues occurred. Malonga cleaned up the glass with 10 rebounds, 4 of them offensive. She solely missed three pictures on this recreation and helped put away Hungary lengthy earlier than the ultimate buzzer sounded.

No different group dominated greater than France did on this recreation.

Certain, the competitors was gentle, however the efficiency was noticeable. Good luck to any group that performs Les Blues.

A take a look at different opening day outcomes from Berlin

Spain is ranked sixth on the earth, and Germany discovered that out the exhausting approach. This was a straightforward win for Spain due to the play of Awa Fam. She had a game-high 17 factors together with three blocks and two steals. Spain by no means trailed of their blowout win.

Germany has expertise, and gamers like Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally got here to play. They each had been in double figures. Nevertheless, that was just about it for Germany offensively, as nobody else may discover a rhythm.

Whereas many contests had been one-sided, this was an excellent affair. Japan got here out on prime 102-97. Mali bought inside one possession within the remaining minute of play, however then Maki Takada drilled a 3 to provide Japan sufficient respiratory room to safe the consequence.

Takada ended the sport with 14 factors on 6-for-7 taking pictures. Whereas Takada was a veteran chief, Saki Hayashi was the star. She had a game-high 27 factors and had a plus-minus of +9. For Mali, Aminata Sangare and Djeneba N’Diaye had been the group’s offensive manufacturing. They each scored 22 factors. Sika Koné was additionally an enormous issue, scoring 21.

Australia over Puerto Rico, 70-54

Steph Talbot was one of many 4 gamers for Australia who scored in double figures. She had 19 factors, eight rebounds and three assists within the win.

Puerto Rico struggled offensively, however Arella Guirantes tried to jump-start the scoring, contributing 14 factors. Sadly, there simply wasn’t sufficient effectivity as Puerto Rico shot 30 p.c from the sphere.

South Korea over Nigeria, 99-81

The Los Angeles Sparks’ lone World Cup participant, Jihyun Park, got here to play on this one. She scored 27 factors as South Korea cruised to victory over Nigeria. Leeseul Kang was additionally dominant. She had 20 factors within the win.

Amy Okonkwo ended the night time with 22 factors for Nigeria, and Murjanatu Musa had a double double with 15 factors and 13 rebounds.

Belgium over Turkey, 89-75

Emma Meesseman would possibly’ve had the most effective efficiency of the night time. She scored 27 factors and pulled down 9 rebounds in Belgium’s win.

Turkey had a balanced assault with 5 gamers in double figures, however their poor third quarter sealed their destiny. They had been outscored 27-9 and by no means recovered.

This was not the prettiest recreation ever performed. Each groups shot below 40 p.c from the sphere and went a mixed 10-44 from 3-point vary. Nonetheless, ugly wins rely the identical as fairly ones, and Italy bought it finished.

Cecilia Zandalasini scored 19 factors, and Matilde Villa added 14 in Italy’s win. Whereas Czechia struggled to attain, don’t embrace Julie Pospisilova in that. She scored 21 factors on 50 p.c taking pictures. Pospisilova will want her teammates to step up if they’re to beat China on Sunday.