The United States cruised into the semi-finals of the FIBA Women's World Cup with a 108-56 quarter-final victory over Hungary on Thursday, a game that underscored the increasingly collaborative dynamic between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Their interactions have become a recurring subplot of this World Cup, the ongoing WNBA season and a broader social media conversation that frequently frames the two players as competitors. On the court in Thursday’s matchup, however, the pair repeatedly showcased an on-court chemistry that belied that narrative.
A first-quarter pick-and-roll finished by Reese set the tone early, and later the Atlanta Dream forward returned the favour by finding Clark on a fastbreak for an easy lay-up. Those exchanges were among several plays that highlighted their growing synchronization in the Team USA offence.
Both players contributed to a comprehensive team performance that left Hungary with little answer across the floor. The margin of victory and the fluency of the Americans’ transition play signalled a dominant showing as the side progresses into the tournament's penultimate round.
As the United States turns its attention to the semi-finals, the developing partnership between Reese and Clark will be one of the storylines to watch, putting cooperation at the forefront after weeks of talk about rivalry and division off the court.