Caitlin Clark Comes Off the Bench and Still Takes Over Team USA’s World Cup Opener

Caitlin Clark didn’t start Team USA’s opening game of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, but she didn’t need a starting spot to make an immediate impact. Clark finished with 14 points and 11 assists as the United States routed China 94-61 Friday in Berlin, beginning its quest for a fifth consecutive World Cup title. Her 11 assists were the most by an American player in a Women’s World Cup game since 1998.

Clark was one of three U.S. players to score 14 points, joining Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard. Team USA’s depth overwhelmed China, with all 12 players scoring and the Americans recording 26 assists while committing only eight turnovers. China’s 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu caused problems inside and finished with 13 points, but the Americans eventually used their pace, ball movement and depth to pull away.

The pregame conversation centered on Clark coming off the bench behind Chelsea Gray. The postgame conversation should be different. Clark showed that her influence doesn’t depend on whether her name appears in the starting five. In her first World Cup game, she immediately became Team USA’s primary distributor and helped turn an anticipated matchup into a comfortable 33-point victory.