Caitlin Clark began her senior international debut with Team USA at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup on the bench against China. Coach Kara Lawson opted to start Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young at guard for the tournament opener.
Team USA's starting lineup also featured Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, and Napheesa Collier. Gray was a key player in the 2022 World Cup victory, while Young is recognized as one of the WNBA's top guards.
Clark entered the game midway through the first quarter as Team USA built an early lead. She scored her first points of the game with a layup in the opening period and also contributed four assists and a rebound. Lawson previously described Clark as "great" and "coachable," noting her competitive spirit and high basketball IQ.
Clark's insertion into the starting lineup for the tournament opener comes after a record-setting August in the WNBA. She set a WNBA record for points or assists per game in a single month, averaging 44.7. Clark also became the first player in league history with consecutive games of 30-plus points and 10-plus assists, achieving this in the final two games for the Indiana Fever before the international break.
In those final games, Clark recorded 34 points and 12 assists in a win against the Connecticut Sun, followed by 37 points, including eight three-pointers, and 10 assists in a victory over the Chicago Sky. She also had five games in August with at least 20 points and 10 assists, a feat no other player achieved in the previous five seasons combined. Her average of 24.4 points per game in August marked the highest-scoring month by a point guard in WNBA history.
Despite Clark's recent performance, Lawson chose veteran guards to start the World Cup, aiming to defend the team's gold medal. Other notable players, including Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, also began the game on the bench.