For the third time in a row, Coach Kara Lawson has stuck to her veteran starting lineup strategy. While Lawson used a similar lineup of veterans against China in the first game, young stars Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, who came off the bench, stood out. Then came one of the worst offensive games Team USA has played in its international history against Italy, where the veterans failed to shine once again. So it was no surprise that fans didn’t like it when they saw the same starting lineup strategy against Czechia.
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Lawson’s starting lineup in Game 3 of the group stage features Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Napheesa Collier and Kahleah Copper. Although Czechia has lost all of its contests so far, sitting at the bottom of Group D, fans couldn’t help wonder why Lawson has stuck to this strategy.
“Chelsea Gray over Clark is genuinely funny, man,” commented one fan on the Underdog WNBA’s post about the Team USA starting lineup.
Clark certainly has the talent and the statistics to make a case for herself. In the first game against China, she was the most impactful player in the game, recording a historic double-double. She also led the team both in points (14) and assists (11).
“The obsession with giving priority to the Vets, is absolutely embarrassing. Not even mixing in 1 or 2 young players into the lineup when some of these starters have been playing questionable is ridiculous team management.”
This has arguably been Lawson’s biggest criticism so far. She has brought the deepest team in the 2026 FIBA World Cup, which gives her freedom to experiment, at least in games such as these.
Team USA has already qualified for the quarterfinals. However, no one other than Jackie Young reached double digits in USA’s disastrous offensive outing against Italy. Besides winning 55-52 by just a three-point margin, the European team held USA to their lowest score in 42 years.
“This lineup doesn’t work. If we don’t change it, we might not even make it to France.” The Americans had won the gold medal game against France in the 2024 Olympics by one point. After two years, France is better and deeper. On the other hand, the US team is missing A’ja Wilson, the frontrunner for the MVP award, and Kelsey Plum, one of the purest scorers in the league.
However, some fans seemed fine with the lineup. “Long as Jackie is on the team, we are good,” one fan said. Young was Team USA’s best player against Italy. She, alongside Chelsea Gray, came up big in the clutch moments. It was a great coaching decision by Lawson to keep the veterans on the floor in crunch time.
“So we have learned nothing in the last two games, especially the last one. OK well I’ll enjoy the ride while it lasts.” Although an unlikely outcome, the way the Americans played in their last game on Sunday means nothing can be ruled out.