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Caitlin Clark Leads US Past China 94-61 in Women’s World Cup Opener

Sandy Verma | September 5, 2026 4:24 AM CST

Caitlin Clark Leads US Past China 94-61 in Women’s World Cup Opener/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Caitlin Clark recorded 14 points and 11 assists as the United States defeated China 94-61 in its Women’s Basketball World Cup opener. The Americans overcame the interior presence of 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu and 6-foot-10 Han Xu to secure their 31st consecutive World Cup victory. The U.S. will play Italy next, while China faces the Czech Republic.

China’s Zhang Ziyu United States’ Kiki Iriafen during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

United States’ Breanna Stewart and China’s Han Xu rebound during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Quick Look

The United States defeated China 94-61 in Berlin.
Caitlin Clark finished with 14 points and 11 assists.
Rhyne Howard also scored 14 points.
Jackie Young contributed 12 points.
Zhang Ziyu led China with 13 points.
Han Xu added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The U.S. led 27-14 after the first quarter.
A 16-4 run gave the Americans a 49-29 halftime advantage.
Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese sparked a decisive third-quarter run.
Team USA has won 31 consecutive World Cup games.
The Americans next face Italy in pool play.

China’s Zhang Manman fouls United States’ Chelsea Gray during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

United States’ Chelsea Gray reacts during the Women’s Basketball World Cup match between China and the United States in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Deep Look

Clark Leads Dominant US Opening Victory

Caitlin Clark delivered a double-double in her Women’s Basketball World Cup debut, helping the United States defeat China 94-61 in Berlin on Friday.

Clark finished with 14 points and 11 assists as the Americans opened their tournament campaign with a commanding 33-point victory.

Rhyne Howard also scored 14 points, while Jackie Young added 12.

The victory extended the United States’ World Cup winning streak to 31 games. The Americans have not lost in the tournament since falling in the semifinals in 2006.

Young Stars Come Off the Bench

The World Cup marks a transition for Team USA, whose roster features a younger generation led by Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese.

None of the three started against China. They appeared together late in the opening quarter, helping the United States build a 27-14 lead.

Their presence gives the defending champions a combination of Clark’s shooting and passing, Bueckers’ scoring and defense, and Reese’s rebounding and physical play.

Clark’s performance was particularly efficient, as she directed the offense without committing a turnover. The tournament is her first senior Women’s World Cup with Team USA.

Zhang Ziyu Presents a Unique Challenge

China responded early in the second quarter behind 19-year-old center Zhang Ziyu, whose 7-foot-3 frame created problems at both ends of the floor.

Defensively, Zhang remained close to the basket, limiting American opportunities in the paint and making offensive rebounds more difficult.

The United States routinely sent double teams when Zhang received the ball on offense.

Her first basket reduced the American lead to 33-25 with 6:21 remaining in the first half.

US Pulls Away Before Halftime

After China narrowed the deficit to eight points, the United States closed the half with a 16-4 run.

Young converted a three-point play, while Breanna Stewart scored the final four points of the surge. The Americans entered halftime with a 49-29 advantage.

The decisive run allowed the U.S. to regain control after China’s strongest stretch of the game.

China Deploys Two Towering Centers

China paired Zhang with 6-foot-10 Han Xu during the third quarter, creating a formidable interior defensive combination.

The lineup helped China reduce the deficit to 53-37, but the Americans prevented the margin from shrinking further.

Clark, Bueckers and Reese then helped ignite a 17-5 run to close the quarter, effectively putting the game beyond China’s reach.

Zhang finished with 13 points and made nine of her 10 free throws. Han recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Berlin Crowd Embraces Team USA

The Americans received warm support from the crowd in Berlin, a contrast to international tournaments where opposing spectators often favor the underdog.

Clark continued her familiar pregame tradition of interacting with young fans. She signed a basketball and posed for a photograph with a girl wearing an Indiana Fever shirt bearing Clark’s name.

The World Cup, featuring 16 national teams, runs through Sept. 13 in Berlin.

Next Games

The United States will continue group play against Italy.

China’s next pool-stage opponent will be the Czech Republic.