While women’s basketball fans around the world are already rejoicing in Caitlin Clark’s return to action, Team USA’s latest decision ahead of the New Zealand game gave them even more incentive to get excited.

Caitlin Clark has impressed for Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico so far. She leads the team in assists and average points scored. Despite the impressive numbers, Caitlin is one of two players yet to start for Team USA in Puerto Rico.

Fans have been asking for Kara Lawson to hand the Indiana Fever guard a start, and the head coach heeded fans’ requests. The 24-year-old phenom started against New Zealand alongside Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Monique Billings, and Dearica Hamby.

In what was Caitlin Clark’s first senior start for Team USA, the 24-year-old was influential as ever. Rhyne Howard led Team USA in scoring as she put up 18 points off the bench. All 18 of her points came from the three-point line. Caitlin had a 14-point game and provided a team-high 6 assists during her time on the court.

The Indiana Fever guard leads Team USA in assists at the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, dishing dimes at will. Her ability to cut through defenses with her vision has been on full display, especially while setting up teammates like Angel Reese in the post.

Team USA is now 4-0 in the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers after the 55-point win over New Zealand. They will face Spain next on March 17 in what could be a more challenging matchup for the USWNT.

The performances so far show why and how the modern era of women’s basketball has captured worldwide attention, which makes a new CBA agreement not only imminent but the need of the hour.

WNBA, WNBPA scramble to finalise CBA terms on sixth consecutive day of long discussions

The USWNT performances are only increasing calls for a quick CBA resolution, especially with fans getting an early taste of the level of talent that would be on display in the 2026 WNBA season. And while the March 10 deadline has whizzed by, all parties have shown a commitment to hashing out an agreement.

Meeting for six consecutive days without a final agreement could raise speculation. However, given the cagey nature of negotiations leading up to March, this shows a willingness to sort terms as soon as possible. For the players, though, two contentious points are sticking out as they continue to push for more favorable terms in revenue sharing and housing benefits.

WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike highlighted the need for better revenue-sharing terms and housing concessions as part of the deal.

” We’ve talked a lot about revenue share, which that’s obviously going to be, I don’t even really like calling it the elephant in the room. Like it’s there, you know, like we’re going to talk about it,” Ogwumike said. “But housing is big, you know, and housing is really big. And I think that perhaps people understanding this negotiation or like learning about it has really shown how meaningful something like a housing benefit is, especially for the women in the W.”

The massive network ratings and viewership generated in the 2025 WNBA season are also trickling down to the USWNT matches, with fans starving to see their favorites in action. As Charles Barkley recently pointed out, while it is right to fight for favorable terms, players must recognize where the power rests and view the offered terms as a sign of growth compared with the previous CBA.