Team USA coach Kara Lawson has confirmed that she will maintain the same starting lineup for the upcoming quarterfinal match against Hungary in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, taking place in Berlin. This decision means that several prominent WNBA players, including Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese, will remain on the bench during this critical game scheduled for Thursday.
She is averaging 21.9 minutes per game and leads the US with 6.3 assists per game, according to tournament coverage. Because of the European team’s size, boston’s role could become particularly important against Hungary. Because of her size, defense and ability to score around the basket, hungary has 6-foot-4 Dorka Juhász and Virág Takács-Kiss, and Boston has been identified as a potentially important matchup.
Asked whether she was considering moving Clark into the starting five for the Hungary game, Lawson said: “Our starting group’s done a really good job of getting us off to good starts. Rotationally game-to-game we could change things, but I like where we are right now. Clark has still played a significant role in the tournament.
She is shooting 59.1% from the field at the World Cup and averaging 10.3 points per game, while also leading the team with 1.3 blocks per game, according to CT Insider. She scored 14 points against China in the opening game, matching Clark and Bueckers for the team lead in that contest. The arrangement has allowed Team USA to use its depth aggressively. Clark, Bueckers and Reese have been among the players providing production after entering the game, rather than being asked to establish the game from the opening tip. Their performances have helped give Lawson options against different opponents and game situations. Bueckers, in particular, has been highly efficient. Boston and Howard are also part of a deep US roster rather than automatic starters. The WNBA lists both among the current WNBA All-Stars competing for Team USA at the World Cup, alongside Clark, Bueckers and Reese. Howard, meanwhile, has already shown her scoring ability in the tournament.
