FOLLOW US

America September 13, 2026 5 mins read

Team USA Reaches Women’s Basketball World Cup Final as Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston Play LIVE

America ı By Jackie Allen

0 Comments

Team USA

BERLIN — Team USA advanced to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final Saturday with a 76-66 semifinal victory over Spain, and Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever teammate Aliyah Boston provided one of the game’s most memorable moments despite limited offensive production from Clark.

Clark finished with one point, one rebound, one assist and one steal in nearly 17 minutes. While those numbers were well below her quarterfinal performance against Hungary, when she recorded 10 points and nine assists, Clark still finished with a team-best impact according to the plus-minus statistic among U.S. players except Boston.

Clark posted a plus-16 rating against Spain, while Boston led the team at plus-21.

The play that drew particular attention came in the opening quarter. Clark attracted the Spanish defense before finding Boston underneath the basket with a quick bounce pass. Boston converted the layup, cutting Spain's lead to 16-13.

USA Basketball highlighted the sequence in a slow-motion video on social media, celebrating the connection between the two Indiana Fever teammates.

Watch the Team USA-Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston video on YouTube

Clark and Boston Connect for Team USA

The assist was Clark's only one of the semifinal, but it demonstrated the chemistry she and Boston have developed with the Fever.

Clark's ability to draw defensive attention before delivering passes has been a central part of her game since entering the WNBA. Boston, meanwhile, has established herself as one of Indiana's primary interior players.

The pair's connection was particularly significant in a game in which the U.S. offense struggled for long stretches.

Team USA Continues World Cup

WATCH TEAM USA WNBA Live on Sunday

World Cup Live

Spain remained within striking distance through three quarters before the Americans pulled away in the fourth. Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper scored 13 and Jackie Young added 12.

The victory extended the United States' World Cup winning streak to 35 games and sent the Americans to their fifth consecutive World Cup final.

Clark's Numbers Do Not Tell the Entire Story

Clark's one-point performance was a notable departure from her showing against Hungary.

In that quarterfinal, Clark nearly recorded a double-double with 10 points and nine assists. She also produced a step-back 3-pointer over Dorka Juhász that became one of the tournament's highlighted plays.

Against Spain, however, Clark was primarily a facilitator during her limited time on the court.

Her plus-16 rating also illustrates why the box score alone does not fully describe her contribution. Team USA was 16 points better than Spain during Clark's minutes on the floor, according to the supplied game statistics.

FIBA official Spain vs. USA box score

The semifinal victory also came against a Spanish team that kept the game close for much of the contest. Spain shot well enough to remain competitive before Team USA's defense tightened in the final period.

Team USA Faces France for Gold

The Americans now face France in the championship game Sunday in Berlin.

France reached the final by defeating host Germany 86-64. Gabby Williams led France with 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

The championship game is a rematch of the Paris 2024 Olympic final, when the United States defeated France 67-66 for the gold medal.

The Americans are seeking a fifth consecutive FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup championship. The final is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET Sunday at Berlin Arena.

For Clark, the game provides another opportunity to contribute on the international stage. Whether that comes through scoring, passing, defense or creating opportunities for teammates such as Boston remains to be seen.

Kara Lawson Leads Team USA

Team USA is coached by Kara Lawson, who also serves as the head coach of the Duke women's basketball program.

Lawson was part of the U.S. Olympic team that won gold in 2008 as a player and served as an assistant coach on the 2022 World Cup championship team.

Her decisions regarding playing time have generated discussion, particularly concerning Clark and Boston. The two Indiana Fever players have received limited opportunities compared with some of the team's other contributors.

Nevertheless, Team USA enters the championship game undefeated in the tournament and one victory away from another world championship.

Indiana Fever Stars Return to WNBA

The FIBA World Cup also represents an important international experience for Clark and Boston as they prepare to return to the Indiana Fever and the WNBA.

The WNBA season is scheduled to resume Sept. 17, giving players a short turnaround following the international competition.

Clark's popularity has continued to generate attention beyond the court. Her performances, merchandise, trading cards and WNBA appearances have made her one of the most recognizable figures in women's basketball.

USA Herald — Caitlin Clark Frustrated After Hard Foul as WNBA Star Battles Injuries

USA Herald — Caitlin Clark's Record-Breaking Trading Card Sales

USA Herald — Sophie Cunningham Defends Caitlin Clark in WNBA Melee

Additional Information

FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026

Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark player information

Aliyah Boston player information

USA Herald Sports coverage by Jackie Allen

Previous Article

In-House Attorneys’ Group Takes Rival to Court Over AI Chatbot Trained on Its Work

Read More
3416 Posts

Jackie Allen

Jackie is a freelance journalist and technology geek. She worked as a telecom project director for AT&T and BellSouth. Before joining the USA Herald she has written books, articles, blogs and whitepapers. Her clients include Samsung and other technology companies.

Discussion

No comments yet. Be the first to join the discussion!

Don’t Miss It
America October 23, 2026 Lawyers Could Collect $1.27 Billion in Meta Privacy Case By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 23, 2026 Plutonium Pit Production Faces Safety and Cost Questions By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 22, 2026
Pope Leo XIV Needs No Further…

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV will not require additional…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 22, 2026
Six Women Testify in Russell Brand…

LONDON — Six women have testified in the Russell Brand…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 22, 2026
Websites Go Dark as AI Uncovers…

The PHP security crisis has pushed government websites offline and…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 21, 2026
El Nino Could Reach Historic Strength,…

GENEVA — El Nino, a powerful climate pattern that warms…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
News Overload Can Fuel Anxiety and…

News keeps people informed about wars, political conflict, public safety…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
Atlanta Rapper Indicted in Alleged $4.6…

ATLANTA — Shawtey Dred, the social media persona of Atlanta…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
Intuitive Surgical $450M Settlement Targets Da…

Intuitive Surgical has agreed to pay $450 million to resolve…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 21, 2026
Getty Images Files Chapter 11 With…

Getty Images Holdings Inc., the visual content giant behind millions…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 21, 2026
Meta Stock in Focus as Earnings,…

Meta delivered a powerful revenue performance in its third-quarter earnings…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 21, 2026
Pantheon $6B Secondaries Fund Marks Firm’s…

Private markets investor Pantheon has secured $6 billion in capital…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 21, 2026
Spartanburg Woman $8K Insurance Fraud Case…

A South Carolina woman is behind bars after investigators accused…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 21, 2026
TDI Launches Insurance Fraud Task Force…

The Texas Department of Insurance has launched a coordinated push…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 21, 2026
Musk and Trump Have a Starlink…

Opinion | Starlink restrictions in Ukraine have exposed a problem Elon Musk…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 21, 2026
Texas Trans Texts Spark Election Propaganda…

News Analysis | Texas voters began casting early ballots Monday,…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 20, 2026
California Ballots: DOJ Cites Charges Against…

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department is citing charges against 28…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 20, 2026
Richard Riehle Dies at 78, Leaving…

Richard Riehle, the character actor whose memorable roles included “Office…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 20, 2026
Extreme Heat Is Spreading and Lasting…

An extreme heat event lasting 367 days touched nearly 85%…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 19, 2026
Information Ecosystem: Five Tools to Detect…

The information ecosystem is increasingly vulnerable to misinformation. There are…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 21, 2026
Children’s Mercy Insurance Coverage Changes: Kansas…

Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City will no longer participate…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 21, 2026
BioWare Closing: EA Shuts Down Legendary…

Electronic Arts is reshaping its videogame empire in a sweeping…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 20, 2026
Auto-Owners Insurers Verdict: Jury Awards Warehouse…

A North Carolina federal jury has awarded nearly $2 million…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 20, 2026
NJ $10M Car Insurance Fine: Geico…

New Jersey insurance regulators have accused Geico of overcharging motorists…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 20, 2026
Ara Partners $2.5B Energy Fund Reaches…

Ara Partners has secured $2.5 billion in capital commitments for…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 20, 2026
Burger King Hello Kitty Meal Arrives…

Few pairings feel as inevitable as a kids’ meal and…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 16, 2026
HealthSplash VP 18 Months Sentencing Rewards…

Cooperation can shave years off a prison term, but it…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 16, 2026
Daylight Saving Time Returns Nov. 1…

Americans will turn their clocks back one hour on Nov.…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 16, 2026
California Identifies New York Life, Aetna,…

Key Takeaways   California’s Department of Insurance maintains an official…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 16, 2026
Three Children, Teacher Killed in Oregon…

BEND, Ore. — An Oregon school shooting killed three children…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 15, 2026
Trump Scraps Hegseth’s Execution Livestream After…

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump canceled the planned execution livestream…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 13, 2026
Pope Leo XIV’s Surgery Exposes Gap…

By Samuel López | USA Herald VATICAN CITY — As…

By – Samuel Lopez
America October 19, 2026
An Airman Died After a Pregame…

By Michallie K. Harrison | Opinion Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson’s…

By – Michallie K Harrison
America October 16, 2026
NFL Player $300M Hip Surgery Lawsuit…

Athletes bet their bodies on surgeons the way pilots bet…

By – Tyler Brooks
America October 16, 2026
Russian Drone Strikes Hit American Businesses…

Russian drone strikes against American-linked businesses in Ukraine are raising…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 11, 2026
AP Poll Top 25: Georgia Claims…

Georgia has reclaimed the top spot in the AP Poll…

By – Rachel Moore
America October 10, 2026
A.J. Armstrong: Former NFL Player’s Son…

 HOUSTON — Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong Jr., the son of former…

By – Jackie Allen
America October 9, 2026
NFL Pro Tyreek Hill Takes the…

What the Jury Is Hearing Lakeeta “Keeta” Vaccaro Hill testified…

By – Samuel Lopez

No posts found.

No posts found.

Signup for the USA Herald
exclusive Newsletter