Scoring five points in the first half against China in her senior World Cup debut, Caitlin Clark turned up the heat, finishing the game with 14 points and 11 assists to help Team USA secure a 94-61 win.
Coming off the bench, Clark led the charge, dictating the flow in the half-court to help Team USA extend its World Cup winning streak to 31 games. Her performance caught the eye of Fever writer Robin Lundberg, who was all praise for the 24-year-old.
Robin Lundberg Anoints Caitlin Clark As The ‘Best’ Player On Team USA
Lundberg was straight to the point when he addressed Clark’s impact on Team USA’s win on Friday.
“Caitlin Clark is the best player on this USA squad. That was apparent the second she checked into the game. I believe she had the first-ever 10+ assist game or most assists with no turnovers in World Cup history for the US. The only player with a double-double in the game.”
Caitlin Clark didn’t need to start to star for Team USA pic.twitter.com/fYS4IICrwx
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) September 4, 2026
“It’s that playmaking prowess that sets her apart. We all know Caitlin Clark can hit the deep 3s, we all know she can score,” Lundberg continued. “But no one sees the floor better than she does, and no one picks apart a defense better than she does. So, the haters really have nothing to work with.”
With her 14-point, 11-assist double-double against China, Clark became the first Team USA player since Dawn Staley in 1998 to record at least 11 assists in a game.
She also recorded the most assists without a turnover in Team USA World Cup history. Clark’s ability to dish the ball was visible from the get-go.
She didn’t start the game as Kara Lawson opted for Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray to man the backcourt in the starting lineup. But when Clark checked in, she immediately got to work, racking up 4 assists in her first four minutes of action.
Given that this is group play, Lawson could try out different lineups depending on the opponent. Despite coming off the bench, Clark played about 25 minutes against China, the most on the team, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she eventually makes her way into the starting five.
Nonetheless, Lawson enjoys having Clark by her side and talked about the Indiana Fever star’s talents in a sit-down with Jason Garrett earlier this week.
“She (Clark) is just so competitive, skilled, sees the game at this high level in terms of her ability to be anticipatory, with her passes and with her shots, and her belief and confidence in what she can do is terrific.”
Meanwhile, Team USA will next face Italy on Sunday, September 6, before wrapping up group play against Czechia on Monday, September 7.
