Overview
- Team USA opened group play with a 94-61 victory over China in Berlin on Friday, Sept. 4, cruising to a 33-point margin by the final whistle.
- Caitlin Clark made her senior World Cup debut off the bench and finished with a 14-point, 11-assist double-double in 25 minutes without committing a turnover.
- Head coach Kara Lawson started a veteran five of Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart while a young bench supplied heavy scoring and playmaking.
- Four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and guard Kelsey Plum withdrew from the roster for health reasons in late August and were replaced by Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, trimming veteran depth.
- The game highlighted a clear generational shift as Team USA blends veteran leaders with rising WNBA stars and preserved its status as the favorite as the tournament moves toward knockout play.