Team USA has officially launched its quest for another FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title, and the Americans wasted little time making a statement. Facing China in Berlin, the United States opened its campaign with a convincing 94-61 victory, immediately putting the rest of the tournament on notice.

Of course, Team USA entered the matchup as the overwhelming favorites, but there was plenty of intrigue surrounding the opening game. China came into the contest with the experience of a team that finished as the runner-up at the 2022 World Cup, while Team USA was beginning a new chapter with several players making their World Cup debuts.

Here is a closer look at some of the biggest storylines from Team USA’s opening-night victory:

Team USA vs. China Starting Lineup: Caitlin Clark Starts on the Bench

This Team USA roster is, of course, star-studded, but it is also quite packed with debutants, with nine of the entire 12-player roster playing in a World Cup for the first time. That made the starting lineup an interesting talking point heading into the tournament opener.

And naturally, much of the attention centered on Caitlin Clark. With the Indiana Fever star finally making her senior World Cup debut, there was an expectation that Clark could be part of the starting five from the opening tip. However, head coach Kara Lawson decided to opt for a veteran-heavy group to kick off the tournament, with the starting five including Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

Not starting, however, did little to slow Clark’s impact. She checked into the first quarter and quickly showed why so much attention has surrounded her debut, finishing the opening period with two points and four assists to help USA build an early cushion. Her playmaking gave the Americans another dimension, and she ended the night as the TCL Player of the Game with 14 points and 11 assists.

China, meanwhile, was already dealing with the absence of Dallas Wings center Li Yueru, who was unavailable because of a last-minute passport issue. Even without her, China still had quite a formidable frontcourt featuring New York Liberty center Han Xu, along with Luo Xinyu, Chen Mingling, Zhang Manman and Yang Shuyu, leaving their towering 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu on the bench for the entire first quarter. Zhang eventually entered to start the second period.

Regardless, Team USA’s combination of speed, shooting, and playmaking ultimately proved too much to handle for the 2022 runner-ups.

USA’s Debutants Make Their Presence Felt on the World Cup Stage

For a team trying to defend its World Cup crown, USA had plenty of familiar faces. But this was also an opportunity for the next generation of American stars to announce themselves on the biggest international stage. And they did exactly that.

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were the most prominent of the newcomers, with both finishing the night with 14 points. Notably, Bueckers shot an efficient 6-of-9 from the field and contributed four assists and two steals. Clark added 11 assists, continuing the playmaking brilliance that she has shown all season in the WNBA.

Another player who did not take long to show her trademark impact was Angel Reese, who ended the game with five points and a team-high nine rebounds. Sonia Citron also got her first taste of World Cup action, finishing with two points, three assists and a steal in just over 12 minutes.

The numbers, however, only tell part of the story. One key takeaway was just how comfortable USA’s debutants looked. It’s an encouraging sign for the defending champions as they will need their young stars to perform amid A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum’s absence.

Caitlin Clark Proves She’s More Than Just a Scorer in Record-Breaking Debut

Clark’s first World Cup points will understandably grab plenty of headlines. But if there was one thing that stood out even more in her debut, it was her ability to create.

The Indiana Fever star finished also scored three rebounds, shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from three-point range. She handed out those 11 assists without committing a single turnover, which has been a thorn in her side in the WNBA. That was also the most assists a USA player has recorded in her Women’s World Cup debut.

Despite all the creative responsibility placed on her, Clark was also not hesitant to shoot when the opportunity presented itself. She knocked down three triples, including two in the fourth quarter as USA continued to extend its lead.

Playing the most minutes on the team at 25:19 and finishing with a +30 plus/minus rating, Clark was the leading playmaker. Her ability to score while simultaneously creating opportunities for those around her made for an impressive first appearance on the World Cup stage.

For someone entering the tournament under an enormous spotlight, Clark could hardly have asked for a better introduction.

Angel Reese Holds Her Own Against China’s Towering Frontcourt

Angel Reese had a very different challenge to deal with, perhaps one of the biggest she has faced in her career. Standing across from her was China’s 7-foot-3 Ziyu Zhang, creating one of the most striking size mismatches on the court. Yet Reese did not appear intimidated.

The Atlanta Dream star finished with five points and nine rebounds, including five offensive boards, while also recording a block. One particularly impressive play against the towering center has already gone viral, with Angel Reese engaging in a physical battle in the paint while trying to establish position underneath the basket as Zhang defended with one arm raised.

Despite giving up roughly a foot in height, Reese stayed engaged physically and continued battling for position. And as Zhang went up for a shot, Reese remained right with her and eventually swiped the ball away, providing a perfect visual of the fight she brought to the matchup.

It was indeed a fitting snapshot of the value that a player of Reese’s profile and physicality brings to this USA team. Her rebounding, physicality, and defensive activity will definitely be valuable for Team USA as they continue their push through this tournament.

China’s Size Gives Team USA Plenty to Think About Inside

Even though Team USA ultimately cruised to a 94-61 blowout victory, the matchup served as a fascinating tactical experiment for managing extreme height. Before the game, analysts labeled China’s frontcourt as a “tall task” and a “unique challenge” because no other country on Earth can match their literal scale of 7-foot-3 teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu and 6-foot-10 veteran Han Xu.

And, of course, that height did prove to be a factor. Together, Zhang Ziyu and Han Xu combined for 24 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocks, anchoring China’s primary offensive and defensive efforts during their time on the floor.

However, despite China’s obvious size advantage, Team USA used its superior athletic depth and perimeter skill to render that size less effective. In fact, Team USA did manage to win the overall rebounding battle 47-41, showing that China’s height did not automatically translate into control of the glass.

Players such as Reese, Breanna Stewart, and Kiki Iriafen were especially important in countering China’s physical advantage and ensuring that the Americans could still compete effectively around the basket.

USA’s Defense Makes Life Miserable for China

While Team USA’s offensive firepower naturally attracted attention, the defensive end was just as important to the 33-point victory. The team finished with nine steals and six blocks, compared with just two steals and three blocks for China. More importantly, USA forced China into 16 turnovers while committing only eight of its own.

That two-to-one turnover margin really did give them plenty of opportunities to turn defense into offense. The pressure also helped USA establish control early and maintain its advantage as the game progressed.

Paige Bueckers Helps Put the Finishing Touches on USA’s Statement Win

If Clark helped set the tone with her playmaking, Paige Bueckers helped put the finishing touches on the victory. The Dallas Wings guard became increasingly influential as the game moved toward its conclusion, scoring repeatedly in the fourth quarter while USA continued to stretch its advantage.

Bueckers finished with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including a three-pointer, while adding four assists and two steals. Her efficiency was particularly impressive considering she did not need a high volume of shots to make an impact.

The late scoring burst was also symbolic of what made USA so difficult to contain. Even after the Americans had established a commanding lead, there was still another wave of offensive talent waiting to take advantage.

It’s safe to say that Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the rest of the debutants did not simply make up the numbers in their first World Cup appearance. They contributed to a team that never trailed, won every quarter, and ultimately walked away with a 94-61 victory.

So, for Team USA, the title defense could hardly have started more convincingly.