BERLIN — The United States women's basketball team defeated China 94-61 on Friday in its opening Group D game of the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, launching its bid for a fifth consecutive title.
Caitlin Clark, making her World Cup debut off the bench for the Fever, was the only American player to record a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Clark scored five points by halftime, then found her rhythm after the break as the U.S. expanded a 20-point halftime lead to 33 points by the final buzzer.
Four Americans reached double figures: Clark, Paige Bueckers, Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young.
The U.S. defense held China to 32 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent from three-point range while forcing 16 turnovers. The United States played the rematch of the 2022 World Cup final, which it won 83-61.
Team USA faces Italy on Sunday and Czechia on Monday to close group play.
