Team USA put on a clinic in their opening World Cup win over China.
The dominance was driven by the American youth, or the “Young and Turnt” crew, with head coach Kara Lawson using the game as an opportunity to allow the rising generation of American talent to showcase their skills on the international stage.
Rhyne Howard, Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark all scored a team-high 14 points, with Howard making four 3s and Clark racking up 11 assists. On the glass, it was Angel Reese, who corralled a team-high nine
rebounds. China had nothing for the quick cohesion and chemistry displayed by Team USA, as the Americans pinged the ball around the halfcourt with precision, resulting easy, open shots.
Team USA’s second game should follow a similar script—if not be an even more authoritative win for the Americans (2:45 p.m. ET, TNT).
China, at least theoretically, could establish an advantage over the United States with their size. Italy brings no such physical edge, while also lacking the personnel necessary to match Team USA’s excess of skill and athleticism. Leaning into 3-point variance—and hoping they shoot better than the 20 percent from 3 they registered in their opening win over Czechia—is likely Italy’s best, yet still not great, strategy.
How Team USA uses the game to gain reps ahead of more challenging post-group stage games is most interesting.
Will Lawson again go with the team’s younger, fresher legs, letting the likes of Bueckers, Clark and Reese, as well as Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, carry larger minute loads that and not overextended the older, or according to Buckers, “Unc,” generation of American players?
Or, knowing the Team USA vets likely will be feature more prominently in later, more tightly-contested matchups, will Lawson look to give Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper and others with more national team experience a bit more run, regardless of how the game is trending?
Either way, expect another red, white and blue romp as they confirm their standing at the top of Group D.
What will you be looking to see in Team USA in their second game? Who do you predict will have a big game? Let us know in the comments before also sharing any thoughts about Sunday’s other games.
Can the Opals and Cats also cruise a second World Cup win?
Two teams that could eventually pose a challenge to the United States also will be aiming for strong second showings on Sunday.
From Group C, Australia meets Türkiye (5:30 a.m. ET, HBO Max) before Belgium faces Puerto Rico (11:45 a.m. ET, truTV).
Although Steph Talbot and her 4-for-6 effort from 3 was the headliner in the Aussies’ opening win over Puerto Rico, the most encouraging development for the Opals and head coach Sandy Brondello was the play of their starting frontcourt of Alanna Smith and Ezi Magbegor.
Largely due to injuries, both Smith and Magbegor have had underwhelming WNBA seasons. If Australia intends to exit Berlin with a medal, the two need to reach their previously-established levels. Although she logged just 12 minutes, Smith put up an efficient 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds—and committed just a single foul. Magbegor spent more time on the floor, finishing with 11 points and nine boards.
Similar performances against Türkiye would inspire further confidence in Australia’s medal chances.
For Belgium, there’s greater certainty about their prospects—because Emma Meesseman is always going to be awesome.
Even with her array of international honors, Emma claimed another one in the opener, as her 27 points were both a personal and Belgian record for the World Cup. She added nine boards and five assists, giving her the best performance of opening day.
As head coach Mike Thibault knows that Meesseman will deliver, the Cats’ World Cup fate relies on the ability of their supporting cast to cash in on the advantages Emma creates. Julie Vanloo is off to a good start in that regard, going 6-for-11 from downtown as she netted 22 points.
Julie Allemand thrived in her traditional distributor role in the win over Türkiye, dishing out nine assists.
But to medal for the first time in national team history, Belgium likely will require Allemand also to emerge as a scoring threat; she scored just four points in the opener. WNBA players Antonio Delaere, who was quiet against Türkiye, and Kyara Linskens, who posted 11 points and eight rebounds, will also need to approach their apexes as Belgium progresses through the tournament.
