Caitlin Clark put up a forgettable efficiency in Staff USA’s nail-biting victory over Italy within the FIBA World Cup.
Clark recorded only one level in 19 minutes throughout Staff USA’s 55-52 win in opposition to Italy in Group D play on the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
The Indiana Fever star performed only one minute within the fourth quarter, with American head coach Kara Lawson choosing a extra veteran lineup down the stretch in Berlin, Germany.
Ultimately, Staff USA acquired over the road, however solely barely. After coming into the night time as huge favorites to beat Italy, the Individuals trailed by two factors with lower than 5 minutes remaining within the fourth quarter earlier than locking down on protection and taking the lead by means of clutch buckets from Breanna Stewart and Jackie Younger. It comes after Clark gave the proper response to being snubbed as a Staff USA starter.
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All of the whereas, Clark watched from the bench. After she scored the joint-most factors (14) and led the group in assists (11) in Staff USA’s opening 33-point win over China on Friday, Clark assumed a very totally different position in what was a a lot nearer recreation.
With the American group anticipated to be examined within the latter phases of the event, Lawson’s determination to go away Clark on the bench Sunday may function an indicator of what’s to return if Staff USA finds itself in one other tight contest.
Additionally it is attainable that Clark’s woeful night time was the only real cause she hardly performed down the stretch.
General, she shot 0-for-6 from the sphere and dedicated two turnovers. Her solely level of the sport got here from the free throw line.
Throughout virtually seven seasons of faculty and WNBA play, Clark had by no means completed a recreation with zero made photographs, in keeping with ESPN Insights.
It was a part of a wider battle felt by all the US group, who shot a dismal 16-for-56 (29 %) and 1-for-12 from three-point vary (eight %). Solely Younger, a star guard for the Las Vegas Aces, completed with double-digit factors (10).
Paige Bueckers (7 factors, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) and Angel Reese (8 factors, 2 blocks) have been capable of make a optimistic influence, however, like Clark, each have been left on the bench down the stretch in favor of a extra skilled unit.
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Ultimately, it was Stewart, Younger, Chelsea Grey, Kahleah Copper, and a mix of Aliyah Boston and Napheesa Collier who noticed essentially the most recreation time within the ultimate minutes.
Staff USA will now be pressured to relaxation and recuperate in time for its subsequent Group D recreation on Monday, Sept. 7, in opposition to the Czech Republic.
It stays to be seen whether or not Lawson will give gamers like Clark, who performed restricted minutes on Sunday, extra recreation time, or if she’s going to stick to the identical veteran core who pulled out the slender win in opposition to Italy.
It comes after Reese issued the proper response to a Staff USA query about A’ja Wilson.
