December 13, 2025, Durham, North Carolina, USA: Caitlin Clark 17 looks for a pass during a scrimmage at the USA Basketball Women s national team, Nationalteam December Training Camp. Durham USA - ZUMAh304 20251213_zsp_h304_023 Copyright: xAlexxHallowayx
December 13, 2025, Durham, North Carolina, USA: Caitlin Clark 17 looks for a pass during a scrimmage at the USA Basketball Women s national team, Nationalteam December Training Camp. Durham USA - ZUMAh304 20251213_zsp_h304_023 Copyright: xAlexxHallowayx
Team USA’s matchup against Italy during their second game of the 2026 FIBA World Cup drew criticism for winning by a narrow margin of 55-52.
Although the entire USA team, with the exception of Jackie Young and Angel Reese, failed to find their footing during the game, Caitlin Clark was the one to get the flak for much of it, having scored just 1 point in the whole game, the lowest in her career.
However, when former WNBA star Tina Charles appeared on TNT Sports ahead of the USA vs. Czechia, she felt that blaming Clark alone for the entire team underperforming was unfair.
Costanza Verona Italien, 08 im Zweikampf mit Caitlin Clark USA, 12, GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 Berlin *** Costanza Verona, Italy, No. 8, in a one-on-one matchup with Caitlin Clark, USA, No. 12, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, Berlin Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/MaxxVincenx EP_MVN
Costanza Verona Italien, 08 im Zweikampf mit Caitlin Clark USA, 12, GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 GER, Italien vs. USA, Basketball, FIBA Women s World Cup 2026, Gruppenphase, Spieltag 2, 06.09.2026 Berlin *** Costanza Verona, Italy, No. 8, in a one-on-one matchup with Caitlin Clark, USA, No. 12, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, GER, Italy vs. USA, Basketball, 2026 FIBA Womens World Cup, Group Stage, Matchday 2, September 6, 2026, Berlin Copyright: xEibner-Pressefoto/MaxxVincenx EP_MVN
“I think it's a little bit unfair to isolate Caitlin Clark from Team USA, right? Caitlin Clark had rhythms in the first game, so did Team USA. Caitlin Clark struggled to find that rhythm and so did Team USA,” Charles said, according to a clip shared by X user Kyle Ingram on September 7.
Charles pointed out that what Clark and Team USA as a whole needed to realize was that if their tried-and-tested methods were proving to be ineffective, they needed to find alternative ways to handle the ball and score.
And it seems Team USA got the message too. By the end of the game against the Czech, the American team redeemed itself, advancing to the quarterfinals with three wins under their belt.
Caitlin Clark’s vital role in the USA vs. Czechia Group stage game
During USA’s final group stage game on September 7, which they won by a much wider margin of 105-64. Caitlin Clark also redeemed herself during this game, delivering a much better performance against Czechia, according to a report by PFSN.
“The Indiana Fever star had 9 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, and 2 turnovers in 21 minutes off the bench. She also had a +/- of +22, trailing only Paige Bueckers in the stat,” the PFSN report stated.
While she wasn’t among the highest scorers in the team, her playmaking and defense proved to be vital.
Clark had several impressive moments, including helping set up Breanna Stewart for a successful play in the second quarter, and making a difficult shot in the third quarter despite two defenders marking her.
Clark also executed a quick assist in the fourth quarter that sealed the USA’s win, passing the ball to Reese who then scored her 13th point.
Written by
Arundhoti Palit