Team USA vs Spain: why is Caitlin Clark not starting in FIBA World Cup semifinal?

Caitlin Clark will once again come off the bench when Team USA faces Spain in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup semifinal Saturday.

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The Indiana Fever guard has been one of the most productive players on Kara Lawson’s roster, but the head coach has consistently resisted making her part of the starting five. The decision has remained one of the biggest talking points around Team USA throughout the tournament.

Lawson has favored experience and continuity with her starting lineup, which has featured other WNBA stars Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The group has been together in previous USA Basketball competitions and gives Lawson a veteran-heavy unit to begin games.

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Caitlin Clark starts off the bench for fifth straight game

Team USA and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22). Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Lawson addressed the possibility of changing her lineup before the knockout stage and made it clear that she was comfortable with the current arrangement.

“Our starting group’s done a really good job of getting us off to good starts,” Lawson said. “Rotationally game-to-game we could change things, but I like where we are right now” (h/t Jackson Thompson of Fox News).

Clark has made a strong case for more responsibility regardless of her starting status. She opened the tournament with 14 points and 11 assists against China before finishing the group stage with nine points and seven assists against Czechia. She also leads Team USA in minutes per game, showing that coming off the bench has not prevented Lawson from giving her a major role.

Team USA is chasing another gold medal after winning the last four FIBA Women’s World Cups. The Americans are seeking their fifth straight title and will face either France or Germany in the final if they beat Spain. The championship game is scheduled for Sunday in Berlin.

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