Team USA didn’t just stroll into the semifinals; they absolutely smashed Hungary in the quarters with a wild 108-56 victory. Now, it’s Spain standing squarely in their path, the only thing separating them from the FIBA World Cup final and a chance at another World Cup title. Our squad is still undefeated in this tournament, even after getting a tough test from Italy earlier on. Spain, though, had a bit of a bump in the road, falling to Mali in the group stage before winning their other two matchups. This isn’t going to be a walk in the park.
The Unbeaten Gauntlet and Key Players
So far, this Team USA squad has been all about that scoring-by-committee approach. Seriously, almost every player on the roster has contributed in nearly all their games, which tells you everything about their depth. In the quarterfinal clash against Hungary, it was Napheesa Collier who really broke out, leading a charge where an incredible six players hit double-digits in scoring. Talk about spreading the wealth! But don’t sleep on Spain, either. Their leading scorer, Iyana Martin, is averaging a solid 16.5 points per game during the tournament. Our defense is going to have to be on point to slow her down if we want to keep this undefeated run going strong.
The Clark-Reese Connection: A Glimpse Into the Future
The real fireworks, the kind that make you lean forward in your seat, came from the blossoming connection between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Against Hungary, their on-court chemistry sparked brighter than almost anyone else’s during a pre-dawn tip-off. We’re talking Clark finding Reese three times in about five minutes for crucial buckets in the second quarter, helping Team USA pad that lead. And in the second half, Reese returned the favor, assisting Clark on a score right off a steal! “We’ve played against each other so many times, so I’m sure we know each other’s game like the back of each other’s hands,” Reese said after the game. She’s right, and it’s fun to watch them build that chemistry because, as she said, they’re going to be USA teammates for a while. Clark’s version of Team USA is a highly successful, ridiculously fun run-and-gun offense, and Reese fits into it perfectly. She can run the floor and is shooting incredibly efficiently, entering the game at a blistering 57.1% through three games. This kind of chemistry, building between different iterations of players like Clark, Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Aliyah Boston, is absolutely the future. And frankly, it might be the key as soon as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
This semifinal showdown is all about punching a ticket to Sunday’s final against France. Who’s gonna get it done? You won’t want to miss seeing if this Team USA squad, especially with that Clark-Reese magic brewing, can keep their undefeated run alive. Tune in today, September 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET on TBS. You can also stream it on Courtside 1891 via DAZN, HBO Max, YouTube TV, and more. This is gonna be good!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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