You just cannot keep Caitlin Clark out of the game. Coming back after fifteen months, her stint in the USA jersey has been nothing short of a fairytale. Competing at the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, the 24-year-old got a standing ovation in Puerto Rico.
Ahead of the WNBA season, the face of the WNBA is showing a lot of promise. And while she has been featured in all three of the Team USA games, fans have noticed one anomaly. Head coach Kara Lawson has refrained from including her in the starting lineup.
Why Is Caitlin Clark Not Starting For Team USA?
In the last two games that Clark played against Senegal and Puerto Rico, the 2-time WNBA All-Star looked phenomenal. Without a hint of rust from the prolonged absence from the court, the Indiana Fever star accounted for a combined 25 points and 14 assists. Thus, coming into the third game, the expectations were that the 2024 Rookie of the Year would start against Italy.
Surprisingly, once again, Lawson’s starting 5 did not include Clark. And the pattern was immediately picked up by fans and critics worldwide. This meant that the former Iowa Hawkeye star was now the only person to have started from the bench for Team USA.
Highlighting the same, WNBA analyst wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Only 2 players who have NOT started yet for Team USA.. Rae Burrell & Caitlin Clark.”
Only 2 players who have NOT started yet for Team USA.. Rae Burrell & Caitlin Clark.
— Rachel A DeMita (@RADeMita) March 14, 2026
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Now, there’s no concrete explanation for why this has happened. It can be a part of Lawson’s experiment. Against Puerto Rico, she made Clark play the last five minutes of each quarter, allowing her to work with new rotations every time. On the contrary, the team might be shielding her ahead of the WNBA season as the Fever star has just come back from the injury.
Nonetheless, coming off the bench, the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion dropped another stellar performance. As the USA went 3-0 after defeating Italy, Clark had 12 points and five assists.
Meanwhile, as the Iowa-born has earned praises from Stephanie White, fans are unhappy with Lawson and co.
WNBA Fans Lash Out Over Team USA’s Caitlin Clark Decision
As soon as DeMita’s tweet gained traction, fans flocked to the comment section.
“That doesn’t sit right with me! Rae okay, but Caitlin not starting is insane !” said one fan.
That doesn’t sit right with me ! Rae okay, but Caitlin not starting is insane !
— Eric (@Eric08738612) March 14, 2026
“Maybe the coaches are trying to see how CC reacts not being a starter. Idk,” said another.
Maybe the coaches are trying to see how CC reacts not being a starter. Idk
— Jay (@jayfromUSA) March 14, 2026
“Can you imagine if it’s angel Reese or Chelsea gray,” commented a third fan.
Can you imagine if it’s angel Reese or Chelsea gray🙄
— Auggy (@AuggySemblante) March 14, 2026
“If CC isn’t on the floor, im not watching,” quipped a fan.
If CC isn't on the floor, im not watching.
— Canadian Nightmare (@MoonFam0407) March 14, 2026
“No end to the disrespect of the GOAT,” chimed in an user.
No end to the disrespect of the GOAT
— 🇵🇱 Vedder 🇺🇸 (@adam_vedder) March 15, 2026
Thus, it is evident that Team USA is facing the heat. Now, fans will be waiting to see what changes next.