"The general consensus among archaeologists is that basket making predates pottery..."

There may be factual evidence for that, but I don't think it likely. Consider the skill and amount of effort it takes to make a basket. You have to gather the right vegetable fibers and devise a system of weaving and knotting to make a useful product. Some baskets we see are very complex and required hours of work.

Then think about making a clay vessel - find some clay, squish it into shape, put it in a fire. Seems simpler and more likely to happen, does it not?