Lundberg pointed to a moment where Clark took clear contact from Olbis Andre in the first quarter while attacking the paint.
There was another moment that added to the tension in the first quarter. With 2:03 left in the period, play stopped while officials discussed a foul call involving Clark.
Clark walked over to share her perspective, prompting a sideline reaction from Italy head coach Andrea Capobianco.
Professional lip readers later showed Capobianco shouting across the court, and Clark replied, saying, “Stop complaining.”
Lundberg, however, wasn’t alone in questioning the officiating. Sports commentator Jason Whitlock raised a similar complaint on X.
He said that FIBA’s intense physicality could derail the Americans’ gold-medal hopes.
“That was a brutal game of basketball. If the refs are going to allow that level of physicality, there’s a good chance we won’t win…. The physicality eliminated CC and bothered Stewart throughout and slowed Boston late. Ugly hoops,” Whitlock posted.
How Italy’s 2-3 zone stifled the world’s best offense
The officiating may raise concerns, but the way Italy completely dismantled Team USA’s attack is truly commendable.
“Obviously, Italy really kind of mucked up the game for us a little bit. It made it difficult for us to score. They are a tough team. Tons of respect to what they’ve done,” said Breanna Stewart after the win.
Italy switched into a 2-3 zone midway through the first quarter after falling behind 23-8, and the result was immediate.
They ripped off a 16-7 run to cut the deficit to 30-24 by halftime. They continued the surge in the third quarter and took the lead at one point.
Italy’s defense held Team USA to 29 percent shooting from the field and 1-of-12 from three-point range. And Team USA’s 55-point win marked their lowest total in a World Cup victory since beating Australia 42-38 back in 1967.
The individual numbers were just as rough. Clark finished 0-for-6 with a single free throw, her first scoreless-from-the-field outing at any level of basketball.
Stewart missed her first eight shots before finally connecting on her ninth.
Together with Kahleah Copper, the trio of Clark, Copper and Stewart — all ranked in the WNBA’s top seven scorers this season — combined to shoot 1-of-19, per ESPN Insights.