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Game No. 2 for the United States’ women’s basketball squad at the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers arrives Thursday.
After dismantling Senegal on Wednesday, Kara Lawson’s squad is off to a nice start in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as Caitlin Clark made her official Team USA debut, she dazzled as usual, putting up 17 points and 12 assists in a blowout victory while Rhyne Howard contributed 21 points.
WATCH: Stream U.S. vs. Puerto Rico at 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifying through DirecTV
Now, the star-studded U.S. squad will have its next challenge as it faces Puerto Rico, and Clark will be back in action as she continues her return to official games after an injury last WNBA season.
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from USA vs. Puerto Rico on Thursday as Caitlin Clark competes for Team USA in the FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Follow along with all the action below.
MORE: Full results, highlights from Team USA vs. Senegal
USA vs. Puerto Rico women’s basketball score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| USA | 24 | – | – | – | – |
| Puerto Rico | 7 | – | – | – | – |
Caitlin Clark stats today
- Minutes: 4
- Points: 0
- Rebounds: 1
- Assists: 0
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 0
- FG: 0-1
- 3PT: 0-1
- FT: 0-1
USA vs. Puerto Rico live updates, results, highlights from 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifier
All times ET.
End of first quarter: United States 24, Puerto Rico 7
8:25 p.m. — The U.S. is cruising after one frame, up double-digits thanks to a hot start from Plum.
8:18 p.m. — Clark has come off the bench, and she’s joined by Rhyne Howard, who connects from deep as Team USA claims a double-digit lead.
Dreaming of 3s.
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x @howard_rhyne#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/vUiHoZVQLZ
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 13, 2026
8:08 p.m. — Kelsey Plum is off to a red-hot start, already at eight points as the U.S. claims a quick 12-3 advantage.
Kelsey Plum wide open three #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/g6Y0nfmmMp
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) March 13, 2026
8:04 p.m. — Bueckers’ midrange bucket opens the scoring. They’re under way in San Juan.
Pregame
7:59 p.m. — Clark got a warm welcome in San Juan.
Caitlin Clark came out of the tunnel onto the court, and the crowd in Puerto Rico gave her loud cheers 🗣
Team USA takes on the hometown national team tonight in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.
(via @fierrowill)pic.twitter.com/r23OG5YoTV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 12, 2026
7:57 p.m. — It’s Plum, Iriafen, Gray, Bueckers and Billings getting the start for the U.S.
Fresh look tonight.
🇺🇸 #USABWNT Starters vs the hosts 🇵🇷
📺 truTV & HBO Max#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/vebNATZRAu
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 12, 2026
7:53 p.m. — It’s game time for Team USA.
Clocking In ⏰
📺 truTV & HBO Max
🇺🇸 #USABWNT x #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/lMm3mGO1Sb
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 12, 2026
7:18 p.m. — It’s almost time for the U.S. to take on the hosts of the qualifiers in San Juan.
Taking on the hosts!
🇺🇸 #USABWNT vs 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
8 pm ET/5 pm PT
📍 Coliseo de Puerto Rico📺 truTV & HBO Max#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/w1EK2gjv1x
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 12, 2026
6:14 p.m. — As we await tipoff for Team USA’s second game, here’s how Clark performed in her national team debut:
CAITLIN CLARK IN HER SENIOR NT DEBUT:
🔷17 PTS
🔷12 AST#FIBAWWC x #WeOwnTheGame pic.twitter.com/9iCzULi58m— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) March 11, 2026
How to watch USA FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying basketball games
- Date: Thursday, March 12
- Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
- TV channel: truTV, TNT
- Live stream: DIRECTV, HBO Max
The USA’s FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifier games will be broadcast live on truTV and TNT. Fans can also stream the action live on HBO Max or DIRECTV.
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Team USA FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying schedule 2026
Team USA is competing in Group A alongside Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, New Zealand, and Spain. Here is their schedule for the group stage:
| Date | Game/Result | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 11 | USA 110, Senegal 46 | — | — |
| March 12 | Puerto Rico vs. USA | 7:45 p.m. | truTV, DIRECTV, HBO Max |
| March 14 | USA vs. Italy | 4:45 p.m. | truTV, DIRECTV, HBO Max |
| March 15 | New Zealand vs. USA | 1:45 p.m. | truTV, DIRECTV, HBO Max |
| March 17 | Spain vs. USA | 4:45 p.m. | TNT, DIRECTV, HBO Max |
Team USA FIBA Women’s World Cup basketball roster
| Player | Pos. | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Monique Billings | F | Golden State Valkyries |
| Paige Bueckers | G | Dallas Wings |
| Rae Burrell | G/F | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Caitlin Clark | G | Indiana Fever |
| Kahleah Copper | G/F | Phoenix Mercury |
| Chelsea Gray | G | Las Vegas Aces |
| Dearica Hamby | F | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Rhyne Howard | G | Atlanta Dream |
| Kiki Iriafen | F | Washington Mystics |
| Kelsey Plum | G | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Angel Reese | F | Chicago Sky |
| Jackie Young | G | Las Vegas Aces |
USA FIBA Women’s World Cup basketball coaching staff
| Coach | Position |
|---|---|
| Kara Lawson | Head Coach |
| Natalie Nakase | Assistant Coach |
| Nate Tibbetts | Assistant Coach |
| Stephanie White | Assistant Coach |
