Team USA head coach Kara Lawson has confirmed that Caitlin Clark will continue to come off the bench for the team’s FIBA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal against Hungary on Thursday. Lawson reiterated her preference for the current starting lineup, which has featured five veteran players in the group stage.
Lawson’s decision was reiterated in separate interviews this week, where she stated her satisfaction with the group’s performance. “I think that our starting group’s done a really good job of getting us off to good starts,” Lawson said. “Rotationally from game to game, we could change things, but I like where we are right now.” She repeated this stance when asked about potentially starting younger players such as Angel Reese or Paige Bueckers.
Team USA’s starting five in the group stage consisted of Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kahleah Copper. This lineup has been criticized by some observers for favoring a slower, half-court offensive style compared to lineups featuring Clark, Bueckers, or Reese. In the group stage finale against Czechia, Clark logged the most minutes (22) among all players, followed by Reese (19) and Bueckers (18). Stewart led the team with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the 105-64 victory.
Clark’s role has drawn attention after a record-setting debut against China—14 points and 11 assists—but a career-low one-point performance against Italy, where the U.S. nearly suffered an upset. She rebounded with nine points and seven assists in the win over Czechia. Bueckers, meanwhile, has been a consistent scorer, matching Clark’s 14 points in the opener and delivering a strong all-around performance against Italy with seven points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Breanna Stewart, a veteran leader for Team USA, has emphasized the importance of representing the country. “It feels great,” she said. “I think that any time I can represent Team USA I want to. I’ve had the incredible opportunity of being able to do it for a long time and since I was really young, and every time I get the call I want to show up.” Stewart, who has won three Olympic gold medals and three World Cup championships, is aiming for a fourth World Cup title in Berlin.
Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals with a 55-52 escape against Italy and a 105-64 blowout over Czechia, setting up Thursday’s matchup against Hungary at 5:30 a.m. ET.