USA coach signals veterans will start, keeping Clark, Reese and Bueckers on bench
Team USA coach Kara Lawson said she is satisfied with the current veteran starting five and plans to keep Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers coming off the bench for the knockout round.
Entering the knockout phase of the FIBA Women's World Cup, Team USA's head coach Kara Lawson affirmed her satisfaction with the veteran starters who have led the squad through the first three games. When asked about starting freshman star Caitlin Clark in the upcoming quarterfinal against Hungary, Lawson said the current lineup is working well and any adjustments would be made later. She also noted that Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers will continue to come off the bench for now.
Clark's bench minutes have produced mixed results, from a 14-point debut to a scoreless outing against Italy, while Reese and Bueckers have contributed solid rebounds and scoring in limited minutes. Despite a close call against Italy, the United States remains unbeaten in World Cup quarterfinals, and Lawson appears intent on relying on experienced players as the tournament intensifies.
Why it matters
The decision shapes the United States' chances in the World Cup knockout stage and reflects coaching strategy versus public pressure.
In this story
