This was never a contest but it was a game that reaffirmed what we already knew about Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark. Hungary’s catastrophic defensive strategy ended this earlier than expected but, Emmet Ryan writes, the USA was never losing this game.
This was never going to be a close one. That was made even more apparent when Hungary decided that man D was the best approach to take in this game. We didn’t learn anything new but were reminded of what we already know.
Breanna Stewart should be MVP of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup if the USA ends up winning gold and Caitlin Clark is having a frustrating time out there. We knew this, we saw it again, and we’ve no reason to expect this to change.
Even off-ball, Stewie delivers big
Hungary were also going to face an enormous challenge in this game. On a pure player for player comparison, the USA had them and they knew it. To have any chance, Dorka Juhasz was going to need to have the game of her life and then some.
So having her assigned defensively to take on Breanna Stewart really didn’t help that cause. Stewie consistently drew Dorka out to the elbow, creating oodles of space inside for the rest of the USA to operate. When Dorka moved off to do some help D, Stewie quickly got in position to either score or draw a foul.
Going man on Stewie rather than bringing the zone was certainly a surprise from the Hungarians. It was playing right into the hands of the favourites for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. With Stewie also guarding Dorka at the other end, she was able to restrict the impact of Hungary’s best player.
Stay calm and enjoy basketball
This game happened to coincide with a test of Germany’s emergency notification system. The all-clear dropped late in the first quarter, with the PA announcing “stay calm and enjoy basketball.”
The same advice might well serve Caitlin Clark well. Through the midway point of this tournament, she is understandably frustrated. While she put up good numbers in the opener against China, the bulk of that came with the result already beyond doubt. Since then, she’s struggled to impose herself offensively for the USA.
A huge part of it is definitely systematic but it’s also clearly getting in her head at this stage. This tournament was meant to showcase Clark in all her glory, so far she simply hasn’t been able to do that. Relaxing more and just letting it flow was what she needed.
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There we are
Caitlin Clark has continued to succeed as a creator despite her scoring troubles. In this game there were signs she’s finally ok with that. As Clark proved more of a committed pass first player in this game, the scoring opportunities started to come.
Clark nailed a lovely three from the left elbow at the midpoint of the second quarter. The result was already long beyond doubt. Yet you could feel the relief coming off the floor when it went in.
Now, the obvious question is can she maintain this calm in the medal rounds. Whether it’s Spain or Australia, it’s safe to assume they’ll put up a more coherent display than Hungary. At the very least, neither should be foolish enough to commit to man D against the US starting five.
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Caitlin Clark looked more comfortable as a creator against Hungary, with signs that the scoring may follow once she settles into the role. (Pic: FIBA)
An ideal situation
The decision to put this game in the opening slot probably annoyed everyone interested in this USA team aside from the players and coaching staff. Kara Lawson was able to rotate at will after a quarter of play and has the longest possible rest for her team.
While getting more than one true test in the run to the medal rounds would have helped, it was never likely. The draw kept most of the other medal contenders away from the Americans as it was. That Italy gave them a stern test is, if anything, a bonus for them.
It has been 20 years since the US lost a women’s basketball game in either the Olympics or FIBA World Cup. That streak almost got broken two years ago. It will be put to the test once more in two days time. The Americans should have too much in that but, a day later, the task will be even greater.
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