Caitlin Clark believes Team USA can play an even better brand of basketball despite crushing Puerto Rico 91-48.
Usually, when teams register blowout wins on the international stage, players from the winning side are generally seen boasting about their dominance. That wasn't the case with WNBA star Caitlin Clark.
Despite watching the United States women's national basketball team cruise to a lopsided 91-48 win over host country Puerto Rico in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifiers on Thursday, the Indiana Fever point guard admitted she wasn't thoroughly satisfied with the team's performance.
Team USA had started its campaign in dominant fashion, crushing Senegal 110-46 in its opening contest on Wednesday. Then, against Puerto Rico, Paige Bueckers led the scoring with 16 points, including five 3-pointers, while adding four rebounds and three assists. Kelsey Plum and Angel Reese also scored in double digits.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever guard, who had put up 17 points and 12 assists against Senegal, added eight points and two assists against Puerto Rico.
During her post-game interview, Clark admitted that Team USA was far from its best and zeroed in on the area where the team needs to improve.
"I thought the game was a little clunky. We probably didn't play our best," the two-time WNBA All-Star said. "I thought we missed some of our defensive coverages, especially with how much we were [fouling] — it really limits us in transition when we want to play fast. It's hard to push off of a made free throw."
That kind of accountability is nothing new for Clark. Even in a win where the final margin never came into question, she held herself and her teammates to a higher standard. It's a trait that has defined her rise from college phenomenon to professional star, and one that has translated seamlessly to the international stage. Veterans on the roster have taken notice. Clark's willingness to call out areas for improvement — publicly, without hedging — sets a tone that filters through the locker room. For a team that has championship expectations, that voice matters.
The numbers also told a story within the story. Against Puerto Rico, Team USA scored 21 fast-break points and added another 21 points off turnovers, showing the team understood the need to push the pace and make sure Puerto Rico never had a chance to climb back into the contest.
With Team USA set to face Italy on Sunday, the question is whether Clark can help spark an even sharper version of the team's offense. The Italians will game-plan specifically to contain her, which could open opportunities for Bueckers, Plum and Reese. How Clark navigates that attention — and whether her leadership carries over from the locker room to the floor — will be worth watching.