Follow us on Google Discover Caitlin Clark’s mistakes during the fourth quarter in the Indiana Fever’s 109-102 loss to the New York Liberty led to some harsh words from Kara Lawson.
Duke women’s basketball head coach and the woman expected to lead Team USA into the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, Kara Lawson, was on the broadcast for Fever vs. Liberty.
The renowned coach had some direct criticism of Clark’s mistakes in crunch time, calling them unacceptable, with many now worried about what their relationship might be like for Team USA.
Team USA coach Kara Lawson called Caitlin Clark’s crucial mistakes out
Clark allowed the Liberty to get an uncontested offensive rebound with less than a minute in the game, with coach Lawson directly criticising her poor effort.
“They just give up a possession right there by not boxing out the shooter. Unacceptable.”
Yikes Caitlin! That’s your Team USA Coach Kara Lawson calling you out twice girl 😳
Not boxing out the shooter
And fouling out of frustration 😳 pic.twitter.com/6qwHLGzyMP
— HoopHer (@HoopHerSpeaks) August 23, 2026
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While she didn’t name Clark, it was her who made the box-out mistake. Lawson went after Clark when the 24-year-old missed a layup trying to get a foul, and then took out her frustration in turn by fouling.
“That’s a poor decision by Indiana. Even though this was the best shot, she feels frustrated that she didn’t get a call there. It’s okay to be frustrated, but you can’t foul here. It’s still a one-possession game. Play the game out, get the stop, and see if you can keep it at one possession.”
Lawson brought Clark’s late-game mistakes up after the final buzzer had sounded, seemingly blaming Clark for having an emotional meltdown at the end of a tiring game.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Clark ended the game with 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and just two turnovers.
Fans think Caitlin Clark’s Team USA career might be hurt
Lawson’s open criticism of Clark led to plenty of fans hypothesising about potential tensions heading into Team USA’s FIBA World Cup campaign in two weeks, with Clark on the 12-man roster for the Germany-based tournament.
“If it’s a close game for the World Cup, she will not be on the court. Mark my words,” said one fan.
“Kara, lock up those socials because they’re gonna blame you if she doesn’t have a great showing for Team USA,” said another fan concerned about the coach being attacked by Clark’s fans.
“Coach Lawson made it clear tonight. It is who plays in the system, as a team, and understands their role. CC better pay attention,” said one fan who thinks this was a message to the star guard.
“Caitlin bouta be the Jayson Tatum from the Paris Olympics on Team USA,” said another fan, comparing this to when Steve Kerr played Jayson Tatum very limited minutes at the 2024 Olympics.
Clark will be joined by Paige Bueckers, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young in the backcourt, making it entirely plausible that coach Lawson uses the other elite options at her disposal from September 4 to 13 at the World Cup.
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