Kara Lawson Delivers Sobering Message After Team USA’s Narrow Escape Against Italy
BERLIN — On a night when the offense ground to a halt and a young superstar found herself on the fringes of the action, Team USA head coach Kara Lawson did not mince words. For her squad, the 55-52 escape against Italy was a rude awakening.
The victory pushed Team USA to 2-0 in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, but the performance left a sour taste. It marked the lowest scoring output for the U.S. in 42 years, a fact not lost on the first-year head coach.
“Sometimes it’s good to be tested like this,” Lawson told TNT Sports. “You see where your weaknesses are, and we know exactly what we need to improve.”
Veterans Step Up When Needed
The U.S. struggled mightily from the floor, managing only 55 points against Italy’s zone defense. But with the game hanging in the balance in the fourth quarter, the experience of Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young proved vital.
“In the fourth quarter, when it was winning time, my veterans came through big,” Lawson said. “Jackie Young was terrific, and Chelsea made a huge shot late.”
Gray’s clutch basket provided the final cushion, while Young’s aggressive play kept the offense afloat. Lawson was quick to highlight Gray’s defense and Young’s intensity as key factors in escaping the upset bid.
A Blunt Locker Room Address
Despite the win, Lawson delivered a passionate plea to her team in the locker room, demanding a shift in mentality. She expressed concern that the squad’s reliance on talent could be their undoing if they were outworked.
“Let this be the last time that a team plays with more passion than us throughout the course of the game. Let this be the last time that all 12 don’t show up to compete at a high level,” Lawson said, according to sources in the locker room.
The core of her message was a stark warning about the nature of international competition.
“Your contribution is not limited to how well you score the ball,” she told the team. “We will not win on our talent, even though our talent is awesome. But we will not win on it.”
Spotlight on Caitlin Clark’s Struggles
Much of the post-game discussion centered on Caitlin Clark. After a record-breaking debut against China, the Indiana Fever star struggled in an uncharacteristic 0-for-6 shooting performance, finishing with a career-low one point.
Clark played just 18 minutes, leading to questions about rotations and the coaching staff’s trust in the young star. The environment in Berlin is markedly different from the WNBA, and the physical defense appeared to frustrate the guard.
While critics, including former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn, have urged Lawson to put Clark in the starting lineup to maximize her potential, Lawson has remained focused on the team’s overall response.
“We didn’t have a fastball tonight, but we figured it out late and we’ll grow from it,” Lawson said, referring to the team’s overall offensive rhythm.
Reese Called a ‘Difference Maker’
If Clark’s night was a lesson in the highs and lows of the game, Angel Reese provided a blueprint for impact off the bench.
Reese finished with eight points, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal, injecting energy that transformed the game in the first half.
“I thought Angel competed really hard tonight,” Lawson said. “I thought she was a difference maker for us. She comes into the game, and she plays with great energy; she competes, she scores, she rebounds, she plays with great pace. It’s what you want in a young player.”
Facing a New Era of Competition
Perhaps most telling was Lawson’s acknowledgment of the changing landscape of international basketball. Gone are the days of easy blowouts.
“I think this is the most challenging World Cup to win of any one before because of how good everyone is,” Lawson said. “On any given night, if you’re not prepared to play, you’ll lose. That’s awesome for our sport.”
The victory solidified a spot in the quarterfinals for the U.S., but Lawson made it clear that survival is not the goal. The discussion in the locker room wasn’t about the win; it was about the standard.
“It’s supposed to be challenging, and we’re supposed to have moments where we’re not at our best,” Lawson added. “And the teams that can persevere through that and have a resilient mindset are the ones that are able to win.”
