Why the USA’s opening victory felt hollow despite dominant performance

The sunlit courts of Paris bore witness to the opening salvo of the USA women’s national basketball team as they obliterated Japan with a 102-76 victory. The scoreboard wasn’t the only thing lighting up; the win put Team USA neck-and-neck with Germany atop Group C. But there was a glaring absence that even the triumphant score couldn’t overshadow.

Despite the resounding win, the stands told a different story. Only 13,040 fans trickled in to watch the American juggernaut, the lowest attendance among the six opening games. The chatter on the streets and the digital buzz pointed fingers in one direction: the conspicuous absence of Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation, Caitlin Clark.

A’ja Wilson and Brittney Griner react to trolling Caitlin Clark sign in Paris

It’s not just the numbers that reveal the tale. Consider the attendance figures:

Spain vs. China – 27,021
Nigeria vs. Australia – 24,023
Germany vs. Belgium – 20,211

And then, there’s Team USA, attracting just a little over half of Spain-China’s crowd with only 13,040 spectators.

Social media blames Clark’s snub for low attendance

Clark’s omission from the roster became the rallying cry for disgruntled fans who flooded social media with their grievances. One impassioned tweet summed it up: “If Caitlin is playing: more people go. If Caitlin isn’t playing: less people go. It’s simple.” Another chimed in, accusing the powers that be of deliberately sidelining a phenom: “They’d do anything to keep CC out. Man, she would absolutely TAKEOVER stadiums.”

With a performance like that on the court, it’s baffling to think that the real action was happening online. The debate rages on, with fans and pundits alike questioning the decision-making at the highest levels of Team USA’s selection committee. It’s a conversation that not only questions the present but casts a shadow on the future of women’s basketball on the global stage.

Next up for Team USA is a showdown with Belgium on August 1st, and while the players will lace up and take to the court, the real question will be about the faces in the crowd. Will the absence of Clark continue to haunt the attendance numbers, or will the team’s on-court prowess finally be enough to fill those seats?