Team USA vs. Spain 2026 FIBA World Cup semifinal started as a shocker for the American fans. The US team trailed 13-6 through the first five minutes, forcing them to increase their intensity on both ends of the floor, and it was veteran Chelsea Gray who took the first hit for her team.
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The starting point guard for the US team took a hit in the first quarter during an offensive play. With less than seven minutes remaining, Gray took an elbow hit in her face by a Spanish player. Seconds later, the camera caught her bleeding from her face with a bump on her right cheek, below her eye. Head coach Kara Lawson was forced to take Gray out of the game and sub in Rhyne Howard. Per Carter Jones, Howard took free throws for Gray.
The seriousness of Gray’s injury is yet to be properly measured. She was still on the bench and didn’t go back to the locker room, which is good news for the Americans. The Las Vegas Aces point guard hasn’t been at her best in this World Cup, but Lawson still values her presence on the court and trusts her with big decisions. During the tough Italy matchup, she trusted the veteran to close the game, and Gray did an outstanding job in clutch time.
But the semifinal game against the Spanish national team is proving much harder than they anticipated. Spain attacked from the start and took a 9-1 lead in less than three minutes of the game. Gray made the first non-free-throw bucket and hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 9-4. However, the Europeans continued to test the Americans on both ends and maintained a good 16-9 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game.
But then the US team responded. Paige Bueckers gave her team the first lead. After scoring a fast-break layup, Team USA took a 17-16 lead. Bueckers scored two more points with free throws to extend the lead to 19-16. By the end of the first quarter, the US team had taken a 21-18 lead.
However, the Spanish team has refused to back down from the challenge. They have continued to answer Team USA’s buckets in the second quarter. The first half ended with a 39-36 score, with Team USA leading by three points. Spain shot 45% from the field by the end of the first half, compared to the Americans, who have shot just 36%. Breanna Stewart has been leading the US team with 8 points, converting 67% of her shot attempts.
As per the latest update, Gray returned to the game. She finished the first half with 3 points and two assists in 10:24 minutes.