Kara Lawson, who is in her first go-around as the women's national team coach, has the Americans one step away from the gold medal match.
More congratulations are in order for former Boston Celtics assistant coach Kara Lawson, who led the Team USA Women's National Team to the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup with a 108-56 win over Hungary on Thursday morning in Berlin, Germany.
The Americans played the first of four quarterfinal games on Thursday, so the opponent for the semifinals is not known yet, but Team USA is now 4-0 in this tournament.
Should the Americans win, it will be their 12th World Cup gold medal all-time. They haven't lost a World Cup contest since a 2006 loss to Russia. They've won every Olympic gold medal since 1996.
A spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is on the line for the winner of this tournament, but not for Team USA. They are already in the field as the host nation. Should Team USA win this event, there will be no automatic bid given out and the Olympic field will be set through other qualifying tournaments.
Inside the box score
--Five different American players scored in double-figures, including Napheesa Collier (19), Rhyne Howard (15), Jackie Young (10), Kahleah Cooper (10) and Caitlin Clark (10).
--The Americans went 12-of-23 from three-point range and shot 59 percent from the floor. They held Hungary to 34 percent shooting.
--Team USA out-rebounded the opponent 42-29 and out-assisted them 31-13. Team USA also forced 26 turnovers.
--The Americans were also 16-of-22 at the free-throw line, something they have excelled at in Germany.
Also need to know
--After playing a closely-fought 55-52 game with Italy early in Group Stage action, Team USA has been much more dominant in its last two games, a win over Czechia and this win over Hungary.
--The championship of the FIBA World Cup is set for Sunday afternoon, which is disappointing for the growth of the women's game: It matches up with the US Open men's tennis championship and the first full Sunday of the NFL season, which is expected to be the dominant ratings monster for the day.
Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson talks with guard Taina Mair (22) during the first half against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Jamie Rhodes-Imagn ImagesAbout Kara Lawson's one year in Boston
The Celtics went 48-24 in 2019-20, playing only 72 games in total, with 64 of those coming before the COVID-19 pandemic and eight of them coming inside the "NBA Bubble."
Boston finished the season at third in the Eastern Conference, winning a first round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers and a semifinal round against the Toronto Raptors. They lost in six games to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
However, Lawson wasn't around for the playoff run.
Teams reported for the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Fla. on July 7, 2020. Lawson was announced as the head coach at Duke on July 11, meaning she left shortly after arriving. She's been at Duke ever since, leading the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight last season.
