USA Take 94-61 Win Over China to Open 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

04 September 2026

USA 94, CHN 61

The USA (1-0) defeated China (0-1) 94-61 to open Group D at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Friday afternoon at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin. The USA improved to 9-0 all-time vs. China in FIBA Women’s World Cup play. The USA have now won 31 consecutive World Cup games dating back to 2006. The USA are now 16-3 in opening games at the World Cup.

Group D contests continue Sunday vs. Italy at 2:45 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max.

USA-China box score | Watch USA postgame press conference

POSTGAME NOTES

Initial Thoughts: The USA were paced by starters Naphessa Collier, Kahleah Cooper, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young. The squad opened the game with a 27-14 advantage after the first quarter, a period that saw a pair of 8-0 scoring bursts from the red, white and blue. The U.S. rebounded from a slower start in the second quarter and, after allowing a 9-0 Chinese run to close a 30-23 gap, went on to outscore the opposition 19-6 the rest of the way for a 49-29 halftime lead.

In the first half, Rhyne Howard and Young, in their first World Cup games, chipped in 14 and 12 points, respectively. Stewart recorded 7 points and 7 rebounds to go with 1 steal and 1 block through two quarters. Stewart became the third American to appear in four FIBA Women’s World Cups, joining Sue Bird (5) and Diana Taurasi (4).

Fresh as a Daisy: Nine players suited up for their first FIBA Women’s World Cup today in Berlin, including Aliyah Boston, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Caitlin Clark, Collier, Howard, Kiki Iriafen, Angel Reese and Young. Boston, Bueckers, Clark, Iriafen and Reese made their major international debuts (Olympics or World Cup), with Collier (2024), Howard (2024 3x3) and Young (2020 3x3, 2024) having previous won Olympic medals.

Additionally, Kara Lawson served as head coach for the first time at the World Cup alongside first-time assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White.

Feast Your Eyes on This: The U.S. was scrappy on defense, especially in the third quarter that saw China come up with only 13 points. On the game, China shot 32.3% (20-62 FG) from the field and connected on 5-of-19 attempts from 3-point. The U.S. turned 16 turnovers into 20 points on the other end of the floor.

Offensively, the U.S. dished 26 assists on 34 made field goals and only committed 8 turnovers. Clark led all players with a game-high 11 helpers. It marked the first time that a U.S. player notched 10+ assists in a World Cup game since Dawn Staley had 12 vs. Russia in 1998.

What’s Next is Here: In their World Cup debuts, Howard, Clark, Bueckers and Young led the American offense. Clark recorded 9 points of her game-high-tying 14 points after halftime and added 11 assists and 3 rebounds. Howard and Bueckers closed the game with 14 points apiece, while Young added 12.