There is still plenty for Caitlin Clark and Team USA to figure out as they continue their journey in the ongoing FIBA World Cup. But if their 104-64 demolition of Czechia was any indication, the pieces are beginning to fall into place. Clark herself described the team’s chemistry as “slowly building” in her postgame interview.
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“I think you can see our chemistry slowly building. Obviously, we wanted to come out here. And we were all excited that we had a back-to-back and could get out and play again,” she said in a post-game interview with TNT Sports Allie LaForce.
“Obviously, after last night, we didn’t play our best. It wasn’t great at all. So I thought we were much better on the offensive end. Played with a lot more pace tonight. Played in transition better. Thought we were good on defense. Excited to have the bye and get ready for three more games.”
Team USA were coming off an uncharacteristic performance against Italy. While they beat Italy 55-52, it was the team’s lowest-scoring World Cup performance in 42 years. Their response against Czechia, however, reminded everyone why they’ve won the last four editions of the tournament.
Caitlin Clark contributed 9 points and a game-high 7 assists to the commanding victory. But her assists were not the only category she led. She also posted a +22 plus-minus rating across her 21 minutes on the court. That was the highest of any Team USA player, meaning her presence on the floor was the most impactful.
That dynamic speaks directly to the depth of talent on this roster. And one stat that illustrates it is the fact that all 12 players scored, with every player logging at least 10 minutes of court time. And as Caitlin Clark herself acknowledged, operating within that environment of abundance brings its own unique challenge.
“I mean, you’ve got to get to play with so many talented players, that’s what makes it fun. Sometimes it’s hard to decide who to pass to because everybody’s so talented. Everybody’s able to create their own shot. So it’s fun to get to play in transition with these players.”
“A lot of them are my first time playing with. Some I’ve played with prior with USA Basketball. But I think that can really help us going forward. Getting out running in transition, picking the ball ahead, just trying to find everybody and set them up for easy baskets.”
Speaking of setting everyone up, one player that Caitlin Clark did set up was Angel Reese. And that particular moment from Clark in this game has been circulating widely. As shared by FIBA’s official channels, during the final minute of the contest, Clark executed a sharp crossover to shake off her defender at the perimeter before immediately flipping a precise pass down low into the paint, finding Angel Reese, who collected it perfectly and converted the layup off the glass.
It’s, however, quite understandable why such a moment has been making the rounds, and the reason goes beyond just the quality of the play itself. The perception of the dynamic between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, shaped largely by their intense WNBA rivalry, is not typically one of effortless, instinctive connection.
However, this is the World Cup, and Clark, for the group stage games, has settled into a playmaking role for Team USA, just like she has done throughout the 2026 WNBA regular season for the Indiana Fever.
As the tournament moves into the knockout rounds, that kind of unselfish, read-the-game approach from Caitlin Clark could prove to be one of Team USA’s most valuable assets. However, after France’s most recent record-setting win, many, like former college basketball player turned TV and podcast host Rachel DeMita, believe Team USA needs to iron out thier flaws and ‘lock in’ if they want to defend their title.