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00:00Brianna Stewart.
00:02As for China, led by New York Liberty Ascending star Han Shu.
00:09Brendan Glasheen, Sarah Kustak, Ali LaForce with you in Berlin.
00:13We are so excited to have you with us for World Cup coverage.
00:17The United States has won 30 consecutive World Cup games.
00:24And they're looking for a fifth gold medal in a row.
00:32The young and turnt squad will come off the bench.
00:35Kaitlin Clark's anticipated debut wearing the red, white, and blue.
00:46We're about set for basketball here in Berlin.
00:49China led by Gong Lu Meng.
00:52Seconded as China's head coach at the international level on the women's side.
00:57This is an experienced China team.
00:58They have seen USA.
01:01They have found success at different points.
01:03This is going to be, though, a pivotal start in how USA sets the tone.
01:08We heard our great studio crew, Laura, Renee, Tina, talking about this.
01:13The size is the factor.
01:14However, for USA, the acclimation process, the chemistry, the new faces,
01:18along with some of these veteran players' experience in international competition,
01:22will be crucial here out of the gates.
01:25Kara Lawson in her first year as head coach of USA basketball and assistant at the Paris Olympics in 24.
01:33And the gold medal coach and the 3x3 team back is 20-20.
01:38Off we go in Berlin.
01:40China controls the opening tip.
01:51Here comes Chelsea Gray.
01:53Here comes Chelsea Gray.
01:53Three-point line, something to watch, in particular for USA.
01:56Can they stretch out this China team that's going to want to pack it into paint?
01:59Three-point line in FIBA about two feet closer than the WNBA.
02:04Han Shoe boards it for China.
02:07It's a high ball screen.
02:09Chung Madman, the kick out, and stolen by Gray.
02:13Has two United States players running, and Collier scores first for USA.
02:19Defense turning into offense.
02:20If you want to create pace, it all comes down to getting defensive stops.
02:24And you see it already, this mandaban pressure type of look on this end of the floor for USA.
02:30World Cup team debut for Collier.
02:33Part of the gold medal team at the Olympics in Paris.
02:37And Chelsea Gray commits the foul inside.
02:41Off of China flying into the offensive glass.
02:43And we heard Tina talking about this.
02:45Someone that knows it best about the boards.
02:47You have to find a body of that possession.
02:51A great problem in getting a stop.
02:53But on the other end of the floor, that's going to be really important.
02:55Trying to know some of those little things and getting second chance opportunities.
02:59Trying to create some turnovers.
03:00What they could do on the inside is going to be an area that they'll try to exploit.
03:06Lua Xinyu is at the strike for China.
03:08It was a foul in the act of shooting by Gray.
03:18Lua off on both. Offensive rebound China.
03:20Once again, USA is baited into a foul.
03:25And off the shooter.
03:26Missed free throw.
03:28Lua doesn't get it in.
03:29And those are the details.
03:31Quite frankly though, everyone's just getting their legs under him, getting set.
03:35Again, the acclimation process to this stage in one another.
03:39You're going to see some of those bumps here early on.
03:43Physicality is embraced in the FIBA setting.
03:47And many of the US post players are ready to embrace the challenge.
03:51How many times do you think we're going to say physicality over the course of the next week and a
03:56half?
03:57You're spot on.
03:59And that's going to be really something you see across the board in setting that zone.
04:04Jackie Young sidestep midrange.
04:07Too strong.
04:09Collier responsible for the first bucket for the United States.
04:14Yang flips it to Han.
04:20Chung Man Man finds the three-point shooter.
04:23Short.
04:24And Stewart collects the miss.
04:25Overall for USA, good job on their pick and home coverage, defense, and communication.
04:31Chelsea Gray, number seven all-time.
04:33And WNBA assist finds her ace's teammate, Young, short, and cleaned up by Stewart.
04:37You already, though, see the spacing.
04:39No one picking up Stewart from China.
04:42But because of the movement, ball movement, a lot of actions that USA will continue to run,
04:46it will open up those type of lanes and looks from three.
04:50For Anna Stewart, playing in her fourth FIBA World Cup, three gold medals.
04:55Again, the four appearances matches her huskies in Bird and Taurasi.
05:03Nice work inside by Han to put it in to tie the game.
05:06Yeah, that's the money play for China.
05:07If they can force a switch off the pick and roll, take advantage of utilizing their size on the inside.
05:13That's exactly what they want.
05:15Collier put it on the deck.
05:16And Han, a shield down inside.
05:21Work on the block once again by Lua.
05:25Stewart presents versatility.
05:26So does Collier to bring the ball up the floor.
05:28The United States, two of seven.
05:30Gray, a walk up.
05:31Three is true!
05:32Chelsea Gray makes it rain.
05:36There's such a huge aspect of Chelsea Gray is, yes, her passing, her ability to see the floor,
05:41playmaking, scoring.
05:42But she has a pulse on what is needed when, and for now, for USA just to finally get some
05:49things going,
05:50see the ball working group as important.
05:52Han, the offensive rebound.
05:53Comes up empty on the putback.
05:577-4 United States as Gray directs traffic.
06:02First touch for Copper was so crucial in Paris a few years ago.
06:07She connects.
06:08Things look a lot easier when the three-point shots go down.
06:12Basketball starts to open up a little bit more for USA.
06:16As we saw, Kara Lawson has looked at different starting lineups and groups that she wants to go with.
06:21Combinations given the accolades of all these players on this roster.
06:25And goes with the 10-4.
06:26Chen misses the three, short.
06:2910-4 USA.
06:32Back-to-back trips with three-pointers.
06:42China makes a handful of substitutions.
06:45Zhang Ziyu, the seven-foot-three center, 19 years old, into the ball game.
06:51You thought Han Shu was a handful.
06:55That's a big part of it.
06:56We saw Ali giving us perspective and standing next to her and what that looked like.
07:01But you see the size already.
07:04Jackie Young drills the mid-range.
07:06A pair of Indiana fever into the ball game.
07:08Aaliyah Boston and Kaitlin Clark in for the United States.
07:16On the perimeter, they work it.
07:19Chung Ziyu, the flip inside.
07:21Pokes away.
07:23Yang the dish.
07:24Shot clock to five.
07:26Contested shot it goes.
07:28Tang for two.
07:28That shot goes in, but what an awesome job by Boston continuing to work.
07:32Not giving up tough position on that end of the floor.
07:35That's going to be pivotal with the size.
07:37Clark from deep.
07:38Missed it strong.
07:40Kaitlin Clark, the third leading scorer in the WNBA at 22 and a half points per game.
07:45Shooting her best percentage as a pro at 37%.
07:50Tangling inside.
07:51Clark with excellent defense standing tall.
07:55Lua for three.
07:57Copper parachutes in for the rebound.
07:59And the U.S. wants to run.
08:00Again, the block out by Boston on Chung.
08:04The great job that she's done in keeping her away from the basket.
08:08Those are the little things.
08:09You're going to see these different players for China being able to drive,
08:13find those penetration of lanes.
08:14But these first possessions by Boston, she's done a really good job
08:18in maintaining the potential of where she's meeting Chung on the floor.
08:23Five different Americans have scored.
08:25Copper and Gray have nailed a three-pointer each.
08:30Stewart, Collier, and Young.
08:32And others to score thus far.
08:34All five starters on the board.
08:37Kara Lawson moments ago just subbed in Aaliyah Boston and Kaitlin Clark
08:43to join a handful of starters.
08:4512-6 USA.
08:47Clark at the controls.
08:50Three-pointer Ryan Howard.
08:51True.
08:53Fresh into action, Ryan Howard.
08:55And you know when Ryan Howard sees a three-point shot go through,
08:59she could fill it up and do so in a hurry.
09:00There is going to be those space and openings with Chyna in the drawback.
09:06Howard, the league leader in the WNBA in three-point makes.
09:09Chyna answers.
09:11Lua from deep.
09:13Lua's been aggressive so far early on.
09:15She is their go-to player both getting downhill and trying to hit from the perimeter.
09:21Clark, a crisp chest pass to Young.
09:24Penetrates, mid-range rattles in.
09:28Chyna sitting in that zone and USA just finding all the pockets.
09:33For them it's going to be more about the selections of shots and getting to their spots.
09:38There is no defensive three-second rule in FIBA.
09:41You can camp out inside and pack the paint.
09:45Eight-point lead for the United States.
09:47A rematch of the 2022 FIBA World Cup gold medal game.
09:52Stewart tips the ball into her lap.
09:54Here she comes.
09:55Wraps a pass to Young.
09:56In rhythm three.
09:58Got it.
10:00And there is rhythm.
10:01There is flow.
10:02There is pace to this USA offense.
10:04A big part of it is getting those stops on the defensive side and their ability to push.
10:10USA has hit its last six shots.
10:12They're eight of 13.
10:14An 11-point lead.
10:15You're watching the FIBA World Cup on TNT.
10:18Who wants a t-shirt?
10:20Who wants a t-shirt?
10:22The dog you loved growing up.
10:25Probably a pedigree.
10:27It was good then.
10:29And it's better now.
10:31Six health essentials plus new nutrient boosting.
10:34On TNT for the FIBA World Cup.
10:37USA 4 of 7 from deep in this first quarter.
10:39And you see it here.
10:40A lot of it is just the movement of this defense.
10:42Working the inside out.
10:43Penetration and kick.
10:44Finding those spots.
10:45Those are really clean-looking shots from beyond the arc.
10:49And that's led to the efficiency from USA.
10:51They understand where they're going to get their looks from.
10:53Especially against China.
10:54The big differentiating factor is the size difference.
10:58And if they're on the inside, can they stretch them out enough by getting those looks?
11:03Paige Becker's senior team debut.
11:05Mark and Howard in the backcourt.
11:09That trio has been together.
11:12Go back to the youth stages at the 2019 U19 Women's World Cup.
11:18Howard, Beckers, and Clark were all teammates.
11:22Chong was doubled.
11:24Rimron, Collier back in the ball game.
11:26Boards it for the U.S.
11:28And those are looks that China can't miss.
11:31Howard from team.
11:33Ryan Howard can't miss.
11:35Quick on the push.
11:36Gets to her spot.
11:38There is a ton of room.
11:39And for USA to settle in early has been really fun to watch.
11:449 of 14 in this first quarter including 5 of 8 from deep.
11:50United States won their qualifying games in San Juan, Puerto Rico by an average of 42 points.
11:57Howard, 1 of 5.
11:58USA members to score 10 plus per game.
12:02Top shot.
12:04That's a shot clock violation.
12:06Great individual defense by Paige Beckers.
12:08We put a lot of attention on what Beckers can do offensively.
12:11Her passing, facilitation, and of course how she can score.
12:15But defensively she brings the level of length.
12:18And that defense has led to some great looking shots on the offensive side for USA.
12:23Yeah, what stood out to you about their defense?
12:26Well, I think they're guarding their own.
12:28Doing a great job keeping the ball in front.
12:30The individual matchups.
12:31And I keep saying about Aaliyah Boston.
12:33Would have been good to hit on points.
12:35She has positionally kept.
12:39It was first Chong and now is Steve Shue in the game.
12:43Hon Shue.
12:44She's kept them off the blocks.
12:46She has done a great job speaking of using her strength and her size to push them outside of the
12:52basket.
12:52So there's not been those cleaner looks in which they've been able to utilize those extra inches that they possess.
13:00Key missing piece for China is Dallas Wings center Li Yerou out with a missing passport.
13:07And that is a big piece when you consider the triple towers they have in their painted area.
13:13Look, that's significant.
13:13And we heard our Ally LaForce talk about it during a pregame show.
13:17But the fact that it's not just the size.
13:19We've watched Li Yerou not only the WNBA playing in a rival, she's also got a versatility and a likeness
13:26on her feet with that size and can hit the outside.
13:28Lua posts up Clark and Lua banks it in and wants.
13:33Clark did all she could.
13:35She's acknowledged that the physicality amps up at this stage.
13:41And you see it right here.
13:42Lua has been aggressive this entire game.
13:45Continue to say her name.
13:47It's from the outside taking shots but she wants to attack.
13:50She's aggressive and understanding angles, how to use her body.
13:53And she'll go through that.
13:55She'll be able to finish through contact when given the opportunity.
14:04Lua Shinyu drops it.
14:0723 to 12.
14:09Carol Lawson has already turned to nine players in this first quarter.
14:13Two and a half to go.
14:14Howard again.
14:16She's hit two already from distance.
14:18Beckers passes up the three pointer.
14:20Collier touch pass.
14:22Boston flips to Clark.
14:24Clark back to Boston.
14:25Maneuvers inside for two.
14:27We've seen that before.
14:30Great movement.
14:30But part of it is that it was getting to the second side of the floor.
14:34The defense just didn't shift quickly enough and that's where USL puts you in rotation.
14:41Seven Americans have scored in the opening quarter.
14:44I love that.
14:45You mentioned that the depth of using the roster and doing so early.
14:48One, yeah, you can look at it.
14:49We'll see how Carol Lawson continues to look at her substitution patterns as keeping players fresh.
14:55But more than anything, you just want everyone to get their feet on the court.
15:00Feel that hardwood.
15:01Feel the ball.
15:02Get the leather in your hands.
15:03Get a little bit of run and just get yourself acclimated to what this stage is and will be.
15:09Caitlin Clark and the foul.
15:11Used a pair of screens up top and drove it to the rest.
15:15That's where USA is and will be so effective and good.
15:20Their ability to set screens to free one another off of the vision on the floor to find those lanes.
15:25Look at that.
15:26Right through two players.
15:28Quick on the finish.
15:29Gets to the line.
15:30And part of that opening up is come from the fact that USA has poured in the three-point shot.
15:35So anytime you can start in that manner, you're going to have opportunities on the inside.
15:43Angel Reese takes the floor, joins Collier in the frontcourt.
15:47Caitlin Clark was the qualifying tournament MVP in San Juan.
15:52Scored about 12 points per game.
15:54Led the United States in efficiency rating.
15:57Clark muscling up down low on the China Post.
16:01Shot clock to five.
16:03Chen from deep.
16:05Clark rises for the rebound.
16:08He's been some really good blocking out and finishing possessions on the glass.
16:13Back toward of Beckers.
16:14Hangs in the air.
16:15Short.
16:16Reese.
16:16The old board.
16:18They work it on the perimeter.
16:21On the reset.
16:22Down to seven for Clark.
16:23Entry for Collier.
16:25She's held from behind.
16:271.05 to go in this first quarter.
16:29A 15-point U.S. lead.
16:30Those are the possessions that are beautiful to me because
16:34that's just an excellent entry feed.
16:36Collier's working.
16:37She's demanding the basketball.
16:39But look at that spacing on the floor.
16:40You got two shooters in Beckers and Howard spacing you out on the wings.
16:45Watch out for Angel Reese in that dunker spot because the shot goes up.
16:50If it doesn't go in she'll be there to clean it up.
16:52But so far you like the balance and the positioning of where everyone continues to be.
17:01Clark takes the DHO.
17:03Back to Collier.
17:04Three in the air.
17:06Pinball's out.
17:07Final minute in the first here in Berlin.
17:10The United States aims for a fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup gold medal.
17:15It's a rematch of the 22 gold medal game.
17:19Packers was held underneath.
17:21We're going the other way.
17:25Clock is.
17:26Another great block out.
17:28Carol Lawson has talked about this heading into this game.
17:32The crew did.
17:33The studio crew did about the rebounding.
17:36And overall I love the attention to detail.
17:39Shot goes up and players are finding bodies.
17:42Fourth team foul.
17:43Fourth team foul.
17:45Fourth team foul.
17:46Now four team fouls on China.
17:50And a balanced score sheet for the United States.
17:54Jackie Young with seven.
17:55Howard with six.
17:56Clark deep paint position.
17:58Beckers gets a turn.
18:00One of three.
18:01That was close.
18:05Seems China won't lock two for one.
18:07Ryan Howard the WNBA leader in steals guards the ball now Beckers draws the assignment
18:15Chen to Han Collier stays low so does Beckers
18:23Chen walking foul Paige Beckers that's her second
18:28and that's tough a reminder in international play with fever rules
18:34players only get five fouls not six like we see in the WNBA
18:41and right here at the very end see this should get her with a little bit of a hip
18:48moving on Beckers tough as there's trying to be a step through by Chen overall though it's
18:54going to be interesting to watch I believe in a ton of man-to-man defense for USA and
18:59how different teams and international teams get more accustomed to seeing a lot of zone
19:04how that plays a part and affects as games go on
19:10Chen UGA the former Chinese League rookie of the year
19:17there's one of two China's had its struggles from the free-throw line five of
19:22seven Clark the bounce Reese the catch denied by Han
19:28and that's a what Han can do and we see her do so well not only in international play but
19:34in the WNBA
19:35she comes over the top it's a well-run pick and roll but that size is a medis
19:41Clark to trigger it in Collier the catch missed it and Reese is put back does it count
19:51count it on the floor looked like it in real time it looked like it what a play by Reese
19:58and a 15 point lead for USA basketball after one shot goes off Reese look at that using the physicality
20:07the body gets a great position hanging in the air quick with the tip in
20:15good way to finish off that quarter 14-4 run by the United States to end the opening frame
20:22noise nine Americans scored in the opening quarter
20:28oh you know what
20:34no basket we're gonna take the juju though we're gonna take the feel good momentum if you're USA
20:41thank you Angel Reese said she could not wait to display her competitive fire get extra possessions
20:49for her team the pursuit is what counts and the US has a 13-point lead after one in Berlin
21:04now that DraftKings is available in all 50 states we can finally go on that road trip we've always talked
21:08about
21:20so much of this for USA will come down to their variation and movement of this China defense
21:26we keep talking about their size and when you are trying to go up against size shift them rotate them
21:33take advantage
21:33and in many cases as we looked at Angel Reese finishing off that first quarter basket not counting but an
21:39offensive opportunity
21:41those will open up as well when you get different individuals out of position
21:46in the qualifying tournament back in March as Clark fires from way 18
21:50Catlin Clark with a missile from outside
21:54right on here
21:56well in San Juan
21:59the US made about 12 threes a game they took 26
22:03well on their way
22:05now seven made threes Clark's first
22:07in Berlin
22:11Chung Ziyu is tied up and followed by Reese
22:14that's a whole lot to deal with at 7'3
22:16well you see her smiling but this is a tough balance
22:19this is where I mean
22:22she's just holding up the ball above her head and there's not a whole lot you can do and get
22:25to
22:26you're trying to be disruptive
22:28that's where it continues to become so important defensively
22:33against a player like Chung
22:34is to make sure that you're doing your work before the catch
22:38do your best easier said than done
22:41but to work on making sure she doesn't have a depth of position to be that close to the hoop
22:47now all 12 USA players have checked into the game
22:52the Washington Mystics pairing of Citron and Eriefen
22:56are on the floor with Collier, Clark and Howard
23:04and Howard
23:05Chang Ziyu takes care of business
23:06scored 11 points per game in the qualifying tournament
23:10and was the second leading scorer behind Han Shu for Chyna
23:13and so a 1-3-1 look here for Chyna in a zone putting some pressure up top
23:18you need to with Clark
23:21Clark absorbed some contact it was poked away shot clock to 5
23:26Howard's hit a pair of threes they show 2
23:28missed it short
23:32shot clock violation
23:34and to your point we'll see a lot of zone
23:37throughout the tournament because you can hang out in the paint
23:40there is no 3 second rule so we may see more zone from a lot of countries
23:44and so you look at that a handful of ways and that was a different variation of a zone look
23:48Chyna had been going to some 2-3 that time a 1-3-1 you imagine different coverages
23:53these teams as well are familiar playing zone
23:56bullet pass inside
23:58Yang comes up empty though
24:01on a frozen rope
24:03and tough for Chyna because they've had a handful of bunnies
24:05looks right around the basket they have not converted on
24:08there is a narrow margin for error against this USA team
24:12and you get a look at that open those are the ones that you've got to make sure to capitalize
24:17on
24:18that was Lee with the dish
24:21Yang came up empty
24:22Citron waltzes the other way
24:26drilled on her pursuit of the basket
24:30fouls on Ja Seiji
24:33and we mentioned this earlier Sonja Citron
24:36Kiki Iriafen
24:37those were the two players tab to fill in for the late scratches of Asia Wilson
24:42Kelsey Plum
24:43who of course are huge absences for this USA team
24:47but those are two individuals playing for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA
24:52all-stars in each of their first two seasons
24:55and have been a part of this USA basketball program
25:00Iriafen's first opportunity with team USA
25:03was at training camp
25:05senior camp in December
25:07has embraced the challenge
25:08as Tang Zudiang
25:10puts it home
25:12Chelsea Gray back in the ballgame
25:20touch for Iriafen
25:22Copper
25:26shot doesn't go in but you love that
25:28the zone look
25:29you're still working the inside out
25:31some great passing to try and open up that three-point line
25:34United States shooting 44%
25:38from the floor
25:39deep triple China
25:41China
25:42has cut it to nine
25:45tell you what
25:47Lua
25:48Xinyu
25:49has been really aggressive
25:50in looking for her shots from everywhere on the floor
25:53impressive so far
25:54Lua was on their Olympic team in 2024
25:57a national team member since 2023
26:00a 7-0 China run
26:04Tremendous story for China
26:06she persevered through a lot of rejections
26:09from some of the youth national teams
26:10including a last day cut from the U16 Asia cut team
26:14and now he's just really continued to find her footing
26:17and then an important piece for what this team has done
26:20Chang man man down the runway
26:23darts by Citron
26:26and Chang
26:28made her debut with China
26:30at the qualifiers in March
26:34Gray hits the brakes
26:36Stewart
26:37still a zone look by China
26:40Stewart at the nail
26:41is fouled
26:44will get two at the line
26:45Yang commits the foul
26:46this lineup for China has got added length
26:49you even see it as they're set up in the zone
26:51how they've been able to cover ground
26:53not only collapsing on the inside
26:55which USA has tried to work that
26:57but they've done a much better job
26:59in shrinking the floor
27:01and for USA a big part of that too
27:03has got to be getting the ball to the second side
27:06and trying to stretch them out a little bit
27:08shots have not fallen quite as easily from the three-point line
27:12as early on in this game
27:13you still got to find ways to penetrate and loosen up that defense
27:16just the second trip to the free-throw line
27:18for the United States
27:19Kaitlin Clark had the end one
27:22and could not capitalize
27:23but there's Iriafin on the old glass
27:28and Iriafin foul
27:30but you look at it
27:31US now up to seven offensive rebounds
27:33they're doing a great job
27:34even a possession like that
27:36Kiki Iriafin working on the inside
27:39and so she's up against
27:41what do we have
27:426-3 up against 7-2
27:457-3
27:46but she works to get inside position
27:49uses that strength
27:50tries to create a little bit of room
27:52and those are the things
27:55we'll continue to talk about
27:56you know
27:57what Asia Wilson has done for this team
28:00and her not being here means
28:01there's so many different aspects
28:03that she affects
28:04but when it comes to the inside play
28:06those like a Reese
28:08those like an Iriafin Boston
28:09those are some of the gaps
28:11and responsibility
28:12on the glass
28:12that we've been inside
28:13the energy and motor
28:15that you're going to want
28:16to continue to see
28:18Iriafin sit down with TNT
28:20prior to the tournament
28:21says the physicality of FIBA benefits her
28:24she likes to play super aggressive
28:26and physical
28:28deep in the paint
28:29Sechi
28:31there's a push
28:32now each official
28:34on each sideline
28:37converges into the paint
28:39and it follows on Aaliyah Boston
28:45she'll be her first
28:47I think they were saying
28:48there's been too much of a
28:50I don't know
28:51that's a tough call
28:53some bump in there
28:55overall though Boston doing her best
28:56to try and keep her out of the lane
28:58Chung Ziyu at 7'3
29:02Stewart on top of it
29:04for the United States
29:05they fail to push on
29:07the long outlet
29:10Gray directs traffic
29:13and 2 assists in this first half
29:156.40 to go
29:18work on the perimeter
29:19Young for 3
29:21now the United States
29:23has gone cold
29:24they hit 6 threes
29:25in the first
29:25they have not made a 3
29:27in quarter number 2
29:29that's the areas
29:30where China becomes
29:33a key strength and concern
29:36of what they can do
29:37what have they done
29:38played to their strengths
29:39of getting it on the inside
29:40working the post
29:41finding it to the block
29:42and if USA isn't hitting 3 point shots
29:46where do they continue to find areas
29:48to produce points
29:49you watch Chung Ziyu play
29:51you understand why she shot
29:5270% in the qualifiers
29:54a blocked shot on Stewart
29:56the USA is now
29:58one of their last 10
29:59from the field
30:00China is down by just 8
30:04Chung Ziyu
30:06long outlet
30:07and a long 3
30:08Sechi strong
30:11Chung Ziyu has it ripped away
30:13Copper the hustle
30:14at the timeline
30:16she comes up with the ball
30:18Gray wants to work her handle
30:20in the playground
30:21Gray
30:22goes in and out
30:23will get 2 at the line
30:24you know Chelsea Gray
30:25wanted that and 1 opportunity
30:27but
30:27Copper
30:28extra effort
30:30getting on the floor
30:31that all began with her
30:32at the other end
30:33ripping a rebound
30:35staying with the play
30:37and those are the areas
30:39of fierceness
30:40tenacity
30:41just experience
30:42you look at what this line up
30:44in this roster brings
30:45there's so many points
30:46that they hit on
30:47but a player like
30:48Chelsea Gray
30:49Copper
30:50who's been there
30:51who's won gold
30:52who knows
30:53what it means
30:54possession by possession
30:55it's an important one
30:57when you're trying to pick
30:58your momentum back up
31:02Chelsea Gray
31:03understands the big stage
31:05she's one of three returners
31:06as it pertains to
31:08World Cup play
31:09from that 2022
31:11gold medal team
31:12Gray, Copper, and Stewart
31:14the only three that are still
31:16on this roster
31:17Chelsea Gray's class
31:19it doesn't matter
31:19what league
31:20what stage
31:21you name it
31:23Chelsea Gray
31:24always seems to come through
31:26four-time champion in the W
31:29unrivaled champion
31:30and finals MVP
31:32in search of another gold medal
31:34she's got three of them
31:37World Cup and Olympics
31:38with the United States
31:39number 31
31:41China
31:42John Saichi
31:44Saichi
31:45Saichi
31:46Saichi commits the
31:46offensive foul
31:47so USA ball
31:48up by 10
31:49and again a great job by
31:50Copper
31:50she's trying to go over the
31:52top of the screen
31:53good work between her
31:54and Stewart
31:55working that pick and roll
31:57coverage
31:57it's going to continue to be
31:58integral in how they play
32:00defensively
32:00with how much man-to-man
32:01they've shown
32:02USA has just one field goal in the quarter
32:04it was Clark's three-pointer
32:06Copper
32:06as it spins off the iron
32:08another offensive rebound
32:10now seven for the Americans
32:13Gray with the handle
32:14no look
32:15Young
32:16her ace's teammate didn't have an angle
32:19Gray
32:19wanted the sidestep
32:20fumbles it with two to fire
32:22Gray hoist
32:25and they rule no shot
32:26and you said it
32:28that's where Jackie Young
32:29she was ready to turn
32:30and look at the basket
32:32and the size
32:33was in her face
32:34China
32:35positionally
32:36trying to continue
32:37to stay in front
32:38and use that
32:39because
32:39their quickness
32:41laterally
32:41their movement
32:42all of that does not match
32:43how USA
32:45could continue to shift them
32:46but what they do bring
32:47is the length
32:49China has performed
32:50on this stage
32:51they were in the gold medal game
32:52against the United States
32:53in 2022
32:54it's their 12th World Cup appearance
32:56three silver medals
32:58on the resume
32:59Lua the drive
33:00tried to bank it
33:02Stewart rips in
33:02another rebound
33:03she's up to seven
33:06USA
33:06one of its last 12
33:08from the floor
33:08Young was hot in the first
33:10she's still sitting on seven points
33:13deep in the paint
33:14Hopper
33:15Stewart
33:18Young in the spin cycle
33:20puts it up
33:21and in
33:21Jackie Young
33:22plus a foul
33:24she's got nine now
33:26to lead
33:28USA basketball
33:29what a strong take
33:30by Jackie Young
33:31in that
33:32continued perseverance
33:33with penetration
33:34work the inside
33:36get it back out
33:37work the outside
33:38in many cases
33:39for USA
33:39that's an example
33:41of how they can be
33:42most effective
33:43offensively
33:44in finding
33:45basket buckets
33:47looks around the rim
33:47by the perimeter players
33:49because Brianna Stewart
33:50had
33:51Honshu tied up
33:53she had her occupied
33:54and that will open up
33:55opportunities
33:56for perimeter players
33:58to be able
33:58to beat some of their
34:00one-on-one matchups
34:02and it doesn't
34:03eliminate
34:04the size advantage
34:05by China
34:06but it certainly mitigates
34:07it
34:07in creating opportunities
34:1937-25
34:22now up to 38
34:23here we go
34:24Young's got
34:2510
34:25the lone American
34:27in double figures
34:28Lu on the other side
34:29with 11
34:30for China
34:31Honshu over
34:32her teammate
34:33in New York
34:33Stewart
34:34missed it short
34:36back into Honshu
34:38and absorbs
34:38the contact
34:40coming up with
34:41a second chance
34:42opportunity
34:42and Honshu's able
34:44to get better position
34:45that's where she wants
34:46the basketball
34:46as opposed to
34:47on the move
34:48in the mid-range
34:48the 26-year-old center
34:50a member of China's
34:51senior team
34:52since 2018
34:53Collier faces up
34:56Gray
34:58drips back
34:59with 5
35:00to shoot
35:01no look
35:01pass to Stewart
35:02more work on the perimeter
35:03Young
35:04take
35:06tap out by Collier
35:0914-second reset
35:10just as you see
35:11in the WNBA
35:12entry
35:13Collier fade away
35:14her patented move
35:15got the friendly
35:16front rim bounce
35:17there you go
35:18and she was
35:19inside
35:20that lower circle
35:21the depth of her
35:22position
35:23and then
35:23define
35:25a really nice
35:26offensive play
35:27by USA
35:28Young Man Man
35:29communication by Collier
35:31called out the missed
35:32three that was short
35:33Gray
35:34the no look
35:35twist inside
35:36for Young
35:38and it's a turnover
35:39in the United States
35:41give credit to China
35:43defensively
35:44not only what they've done
35:45in some of these half
35:46court sets in zone
35:47but they've been much better
35:48at getting back to their
35:49transition defense
35:50Max Schmelinghall
35:52China calls a timeout
35:54with three minutes to go
35:55in the first half
35:56United States
35:57leads China
35:5740-27
35:58fight
35:59for
36:00the
36:15but this is a huge advantage as they face USA
36:20tallest player on the USA roster
36:22Aaliyah Boston at 6'5", however USA has done a really nice job in contrasting it with their
36:28speed with her ability to get to spots
36:30we're looking at a Jackie Young
36:32who's gotten anywhere she wants to go to on the floor really imposing her will
36:36and that's exactly what USA needs to continue to do
36:39because you know we talk a lot about what the layout looks like
36:43the level of competition right now in this world cup
36:46is at an all-time high across the board
36:50for so many countries and the experience that they have in this group
36:55China seems to be the stiffest competition for what USA is going to be facing
37:00Now as a nation, United States experience and pedigree well documented
37:05but seven new players to the senior level
37:09Howard catches the outlet, got Han in the air
37:12and hits from the midrange, Ryan Howard
37:16He's comfort, the shot fake is really nice and for USA just getting back into that rhythm
37:22of finding some clean looks is going to be important
37:25It's elite patience, Howard won a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics against China
37:31Stewart with the stuff, still China ball with seven to shoot
37:39Brianna Stewart playing in her fourth FIBA World Cup, three gold medals
37:43We talk a lot about just the continuity of this group or the new faces or experience
37:48Ryan Howard, you know also a player while she was in college
37:50won the 2021 AmeriCup gold with Aaliyah Boston
37:54so the pedigree of these players, even though some of them playing in their first international competition
38:01at this stage with the senior USA team in five on five action
38:07there's still a lot of different experience that they can pull from
38:10and do so with the chemistry they have with one another
38:13Skip pass to Howard, had a good look at a three
38:17United States still with six of them
38:19Kaitlyn Clark hit one early in the second quarter
38:22runner by Young
38:24she's draped on
38:26kick to Clark
38:29into the paint
38:31Howard again
38:31light it up
38:34Howard has been draining threes
38:36and that is a awesome find by Kaitlyn Clark
38:39pulls in the entire defense
38:41all eyes on that strong side block
38:44and she gets it to the weak side wing
38:45Brian Howard has three of United States' seven three-pointers
38:50second American in double figures
38:53under 90 seconds to go in the half here in Berlin
38:58Chen
39:00has it stripped
39:01U.S. runs
39:03the shovel by Young to Stewart gallops in for two
39:08working that defense to offense
39:11smothering by Stewart in the class and help with Clark
39:14and then on the run
39:17Honshu on the other end
39:1910-01 ends for the United States
39:21the Americans have 17 field goals
39:2413 assists
39:26Carol Lawson must love that ring
39:28Collier had a wide open look up top
39:31that's part of the DNA
39:32and how they play
39:34the way they share the basketball
39:36but it's also a product of playing against a zone
39:39with size
39:41you need to have that type of movement
39:43to shift and rotate them
39:44and it
39:44Brendan we've seen this too
39:47on the offensive side of things
39:48as you know what everyone does
39:50sometimes a vulnerability of playing a zone
39:52is it opens up opportunities
39:54on the offensive glass
39:56Clark a deep triple
39:58just grazes the iron
40:00two for one opportunity
40:03Caitlin Clark in this first half
40:06five points five assists
40:09to lead the United States
40:11Honshu operates
40:12Collier gets all ball
40:16Nafisa Collier quick with her hands
40:18and with that size of Honshu
40:21as she's asking for a foul
40:23she's got to keep it up higher
40:25trying to make that move with the rip through
40:27but look at where it's at
40:28it allows for Collier to come through
40:30big time block
40:31what a play
40:33second block for the United States
40:36Honshu lost it off her lower body
40:38USA ball of 18
40:41the shot clock is on
40:42and again this string of finishing off
40:45the second quarter
40:45has been important for USA
40:48it started with getting stops
40:50and it's allowed them to flow more easily
40:52into their offense
40:54here comes Stewart
40:55Stewart to set the screen for Clark
40:57flips it back to Stewart
40:58jump shot is good
41:00Clark with her sixth assist
41:02to wrap the first half
41:03in Berlin
41:04halftime scores
41:06USA 49
41:07a 19-6 run
41:09by USA in the last seven minutes
41:11and change in quarter number two
41:13spray it around
41:14great job and finding open teammates
41:16working on the defensive end
41:18with the tenacity of creating disruptions
41:21that's led to transition opportunities
41:23for USA and Carol Lawson
41:25and the staff
41:26they've got to feel good about the way
41:27that they finish here
41:28in their first half
41:29of the FIBA World Cup
41:32Howard and Young both in double figures
41:34for the Americans
41:35Lauren Jabara
41:37Renee Montgomery
41:38and Tina Charles
41:39have you covered in the studio
41:40when we come back
41:42you're watching the FIBA World Cup
41:44on TNT
41:49this is it
41:52this is a place to be
41:54who
41:55who
41:55who
41:55who