‘She better’ – WNBA analyst makes emphatic Caitlin Clark point about crucial Team USA game

Originally posted on HITC | By Divij Kulkarni | Last updated Sep 12, 2026 9:25 AM ET

With Team USA set to play in the semi-finals of the FIBA World Cup against Spain, Linda Cohn wants Caitlin Clark to be involved when it matters most.

Team USA are at the business end of the 2026 FIBA World Cup, just two games away from claiming the championship.

Head Coach Kara Lawson has been sticking with a veteran starting five throughout the tournament, with young WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers coming off the bench.

With the biggest games now approaching though, Linda Cohn has made clear that even if she’s not starting, Clark should be finishing the games.

Cohn has been outspoken during Team USA’s run, suggesting earlier that superstar A’ja Wilson wasn’t playing in the tournament because of the media spotlight on the Indiana Fever star.

Now, she has called for Clark to be on the floor in the closing lineup instead of the starters. She explained why, pointing to CC’s creativity and versatility on offense.

“The days of 30 point leads heading into the 4th quarter are over!” -Linda Cohn on The Linda Cohn Show on YouTube.

“If we are sitting on Saturday, watching this game against Spain and it’s a 4-point game late in the fourth quarter, I’m not gonna be thinking and you shouldn’t be thinking about who started this game,” Cohn said.

“Please think about who is finishing this game… I want Stewart out there, I want Collier out there. And I want the point guard who can create something when the defense takes away that first option.

“And after 28 assists in four games, come on… I want Caitlin Clark with the basketball in her hands. When Team USA finally needs somebody to close a game, will Kara Lawson put the ball in Caitlin Clark’s hands?

“Because, against Spain, in a World Cup semi-final… Two words. She better.”

It is hard to dispute the quality Clark possesses to make something happen. However, Lawson has stuck to all her decisions so far, and when the time comes, media opinion is unlikely to influence her decision.