Overview
- The United States advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 55-52 Group D win over Italy on Sunday that extended its FIBA World Cup winning streak to 32 games.
- Caitlin Clark produced a historic debut against China on Sept. 4 with 14 points and a Team USA debut record 11 assists but was held to one point and 0-for-6 shooting in the Italy game on Sunday.
- Team USA’s offense stalled in Berlin as the Americans shot about 29 percent from the field and made just 1 of 12 three-pointers while committing 13 turnovers.
- Opponents used specific tactics to disrupt the U.S.: Italy’s switch to a 2-3 zone slowed ball movement and China’s 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu forced the U.S. to rely on interior defenders like Aliyah Boston.
- With A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum having withdrawn for health reasons and replacements recently integrated, the coaching staff must fix shot creation, rotations and on-court cohesion before knockout rounds.