Team USA was dealt a huge blow just days before the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. Superstars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdrawing from the tournament would have forced any coach to rethink their plan, but Kara Lawson’s latest comments show what the leadership on Team USA is really focused on.
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During a press conference ahead of the game, Lawson addressed Wilson and Plum’s withdrawals and revealed a surprising detail about Wilson’s decision. Her comments were posted to X by ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou.
“Both of them [Kelsey Plum included] obviously have been great players for us, and I’ll miss being around them, but ultimately, we’ve kind of moved on… We don’t have time to be worried about who’s not here. We’ve got to really focus on ourselves.”
She further expressed that she had no direct communication with Wilson regarding her decision, and that the communication had been between the Aces star and managing director Sue Bird.
“I didn’t have any conversation with A’ja. That was more with Birdie (Sue Bird). So, there wasn’t – I don’t have a timeline,” Lawson added.
Wilson and Plum’s decision to sit out the tournament was revealed on August 31, with both dealing with injury-related setbacks and deciding to use the break in the WNBA schedule to get back to full strength.
According to an ESPN report, a source told Philippou that Wilson had not been operating at full strength, and that “there was a concern that the World Cup’s grueling schedule could exacerbate the situation.”
Wilson has carried a heavy load for the Las Vegas Aces this season, and in the week leading up to her announcement, had been on the injury report twice with a back issue. Thankfully for the Aces, she didn’t end up missing either game and also played 30 minutes in the team’s final game before the nearly three-week-long break for the FIBA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Plum has dealt with a calf injury for most of the WNBA season and hasn’t fully healed yet. Plum took the time to announce her decision to step away from the hardcourt for the rest of the season on her Instagram story.
“I did everything I could to be back on the court, but just ran out of time. After careful consideration and conversations with my family, team doctors, coaching staff, and front office, the decision has been made to shut it down through the remainder of the season and focus on getting my body back to 100%.”
Washington Mystics stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have stepped in as the replacements for the Team USA Veterans. Iriafen first played for the American team when they traveled to Puerto Rico for the World Cup qualifier. And while Citron was also part of the U.S. camp, she pulled out following an injury and will be making her team debut in Germany,
The team already has young superstars Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers as key parts of the team, with Aliyah Boston and Rhyne Howard also set to contribute.
Team USA has a positive mindset despite the roster shakeup
Lawson added that she is now focusing on developing chemistry in the few days the team has before the tournament kicks off on September 4.
“We’ve got to really focus on ourselves and how we’re going to develop our chemistry in the short lead-up and trying to win. So, yeah, I wasn’t really a part of those conversations to be able to share with you. I’m not stonewalling you. I just, I didn’t have them.”
Team USA’s first game will be against China, who have a very competent frontcourt. The Americans beat them back in 2022 to win the World Cup, but this time, without two of their best international performers and the team’s younger stars, like Angel Reese are confident that Wilson and Plum’s absence won’t put them under pressure.
“I honestly don’t think so, because I think this team is so talented. Of course, A’ja brings a lot for us, for sure, her and KP. But we’re just trying to focus on who is here, figure that out, and make sure we’re all up to par and ready for the show,” Reese said in an exclusive interview published on the official FIBA websitein an exclusive interview published on the official FIBA website.
“We have a great group, and we’re looking to come here to win. There are a lot of great veterans who have come before us, and we’re still playing with a lot of great vets.”
The current WNBA group of Team USA players is composed of some of the best an brigthest talents in the WNBA. Both Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have already set multiple individual and francise records in 2026 alone. Meanwhile, players like Paige Bueckers have hinted that whatever rivalry they share in the WNBA will take a seat when they’re playing for the USA.
Team USA has already started practice. While building chemistry with such a short window may not be so easy, the entire squad is committed to one goal. So it’s not surprising to see the four-time defending champions feeling confident heading into the 2026 World Cup.