Clark and Reese Click as USA Crush Hungary to Reach World Cup Semifinals

What happened

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The United States advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup with a 108-56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary on Thursday. The Guardian reports that a roster filled with WNBA talent controlled the game decisively, continuing the Americans' pursuit of a fifth consecutive World Cup championship.

Napheesa Collier led the United States with 19 points. Caitlin Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, while Angel Reese supplied nine points and six rebounds. Their connection became one of the game's clearest examples of the depth and versatility available to the defending champions.

Clark and Reese linked up late in the first quarter when a pick-and-roll ended with Reese scoring at the basket. Later, Reese returned the favor by finding Clark in transition for a layup. Those sequences gave the United States production in the half court and on the break while also highlighting how quickly two players often framed as rivals have adjusted to sharing the floor.

Why it matters

The final margin underlined the gap between the teams in this quarterfinal, but the larger significance lies in the Americans' balance. Collier carried the scoring lead, Clark created opportunities for teammates, and Reese contributed on the glass as well as around the rim. A knockout-round opponent therefore has to account for several different sources of pressure rather than focusing on one primary option.

The Clark-Reese partnership is especially notable because public discussion has often concentrated on competition between them. Both players rejected that framing in comments reported by The Guardian. Clark said outside narratives would persist but emphasized that their focus was on competing together. Reese said their familiarity with each other's games had helped them build chemistry as USA teammates.

Tournament impact

The victory moves the United States one win from the World Cup final. The Americans will play either Spain or Australia in Saturday's semifinal, with that quarterfinal determining the next matchup. Regardless of the opponent, the 52-point win over Hungary sends a direct message about the United States' ability to produce points while spreading responsibility across the roster.

The result also keeps alive a remarkable title run. Chasing a fifth straight championship brings pressure as well as expectation, and each elimination game raises the stakes. Thursday's performance showed that the group could handle its first knockout assignment without allowing the contest to become close late.

What to watch

The semifinal will show whether the Clark-Reese actions that worked against Hungary can remain effective against either Spain or Australia. Opponents may try to disrupt Clark's passing lanes, pull Reese away from the basket, or force the United States into a slower game. Collier's scoring form will give the Americans another way to punish that attention.

Rotation choices will also matter as the tournament tightens. The United States can draw on WNBA experience throughout the lineup, but the most productive combinations in a semifinal may be dictated by defensive matchups and pace. The confirmed foundation is strong: a 108-point quarterfinal, a 52-point winning margin, and another convincing step toward the title.

Source note

The score, player totals, semifinal pathway, title context and player comments were reported by The Guardian on 10 September 2026: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/angel-reese-caitlin-clark-fiba-world-cup-basketball-usa-hungary