Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark were among the stars of the show as Team USA kicked off their FIBA World Cup campaign with a win over China.
The USA ran out 94-61 winners, cementing their place at the top of their group ahead of facing second-place Italy on Sunday.
Clark made headlines after she set a debut assist record in the game, while the Indiana Fever star was also the joint-top point scorer on the day for the USA alongside Paige and Rhyne Howard.
Now, coach Kara Lawson has praised both Bueckers and Caitlin post-game.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Speaking at the press conference after Friday's win over China, Lawson was quick to highlight how Clark and Paige played off each other really well and also mentioned their ability to 'play-make and get into the gaps'
She said: "I did think Paige was really key for us in that second half. Playmaking, I thought Caitlin and Paige played off one another really well against that zone.
"They both can stretch the floor, and they both can play-make and get into the gaps. So I thought they did that beautifully."
Given that Clark and Bueckers are both in the WNBA MVP conversation in 2026, it is perhaps not surprising that they shone during their first World Cup matches.
Still, it was an impressive start from the US, who probably fancy their chances of picking up the gold medal for a fifth tournament in a row.
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