Team USA vs Czechia: USA Wins 105-64 at FIBA Women’s World Cup

 Team USA vs Czechia USA Dominated 105-64 as Napheesa Collier Shines

Team USA vs Czechia ended with a conviancing 105-64 victory for the United States at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin

After a difficult and surprisingly close game against Italy, the Americans responded with a much stronger offensive performance and finished the Group D stage with three consecutive wins.

The victory was also an important moment for Napheesa Collier. After spending much of the previous year recovering from a serious ankle injury, the experienced forward is once again playing on the international stage and showing why she remains such an important part of USA Basketball.

While Breanna Stewart led the scoring with 19 points, Collier contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and several other USA players also played important roles as the Americans pulled away from Czechia.

Team USA vs Czechia: USA Finds Its Scoring Rhythm

The Team USA vs Czechia matchup was a major improvement from the Americans' previous game against Italy.

Against Italy, Team USA struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm and shot only 29 percent from the field. The United States still managed to escape with a 55-52 victory, but the performance highlighted areas that needed immediate improvement.

That response came quickly in Berlin.

Team USA opened the Czechia game aggressively and finished the first quarter with a 29-15 advantage while shooting 52 percent from the floor. The Americans moved the ball better, created more open opportunities and showed greater confidence around the basket.

Instead of allowing Czechia to stay close, USA continued to increase the pressure as the game progressed.

Napheesa Collier Returns to the World Stage With Team USA

Napheesa Collier's return to international basketball is one of the most encouraging stories surrounding Team USA.

Collier first represented USA Basketball in 2014 with the USA Women's U18 National Team. Since then, she has built an impressive international résumé that includes two Olympic gold medals.

Her experience is particularly valuable on a roster combining established veterans with some of the brightest young players in women's basketball.

At the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Collier is not simply another player on the roster. She brings experience, defensive intelligence and an understanding of what it takes to compete for championships.

Collier’s Long Road Back to International Basketball

Collier's presence in Berlin carries extra meaning because of what she went through to get there.

Nearly a year before returning to the Minnesota Lynx, Collier suffered an ankle injury that ended her WNBA season. What followed was an exhausting period of treatment, surgery and rehabilitation that lasted approximately 11 months.

She finally returned to the Lynx on July 22 and immediately showed signs of her old form.

Through her first 12 games after returning, Collier averaged 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while helping Minnesota post a 9-3 record. That strong comeback eventually opened the door for another opportunity: representing Team USA at the World Cup.

Her return demonstrates how quickly an athlete's career can change because of an injury, but also how determination and patience can help a player reach the highest level again.

Why Wearing the USA Jersey Still Means So Much to Collier

For Collier, playing for USA Basketball has always represented something bigger than another basketball competition.

She has worn the USA jersey at several stages of her career, from youth international basketball to the Olympics and now the FIBA Women's World Cup.

Despite already having two Olympic gold medals, the opportunity to represent her country has not become routine.

That attitude is important on a USA Basketball roster filled with players who are experiencing different stages of their international careers. Younger players can learn from veterans such as Collier and Stewart, while the veterans can benefit from the energy and confidence of the next generation.

Breanna Stewart Leads Team USA’s Fast Start

Breanna Stewart immediately set the tone against Czechia.

The three-time World Cup gold medalist scored 11 points in the opening quarter on 4-for-6 shooting, helping USA establish its early 29-15 lead.

Stewart eventually finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists, demonstrating her ability to influence the game in multiple areas.

Her performance was especially important because Team USA needed a response after the offensive problems against Italy. Stewart provided that spark from the opening minutes and helped create opportunities for the rest of the lineup.

Napheesa Collier Shines in Team USA vs Czechia

Collier finished the Team USA vs Czechia game with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Those numbers reflected the all-around contribution she can provide. She was active on the glass, made plays for teammates and remained involved defensively.

Her 12-point performance also followed a strong contribution in the close win over Italy, where Collier was one of the veterans responsible for USA's fourth-quarter scoring.

For a player who had spent so long away from competitive basketball because of injury, producing at a high level at a major international tournament is a significant achievement.

Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers Add More Firepower

Team USA's depth was another major factor in the win.

Paige Bueckers scored 10 points, while Caitlin Clark added nine points and seven assists. Clark struggled from long range, making only one of six attempts from three-point territory, but her playmaking helped keep the offense moving.

Angel Reese also scored 12 points and collected six rebounds.

Sonia Citron added 10 points, and the balanced attack meant every USA player scored at least one basket during the game.

That kind of contribution is exactly what a championship team needs. The Americans do not have to rely on one scorer when multiple players can make an impact.

Team USA Pulls Away From Czechia With a Dominant Second Half

The game became increasingly one-sided after halftime.

USA produced a 17-9 run during the opening seven minutes of the second quarter, pushing the lead beyond 20 points. By halftime, the Americans were ahead 57-33.

That was already more points than USA had scored in the entire game against Italy.

The momentum continued after the break. A 14-3 run in the third quarter helped Team USA establish a 32-point advantage, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

The Americans were able to rotate their roster and give several players valuable minutes while maintaining control of the game.