Team USA Edges South Sudan in Thrilling London Encounter
In a pulsating matchup that kept fans on the edge of their seats at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA narrowly defeated South Sudan 101-100 on Saturday, with LeBron James delivering a game-winning performance that highlighted his clutch credentials.
James, ever the superstar, rose to the occasion in the dying moments of the game. With just eight seconds remaining, he made a decisive layup that secured the victory for Team USA. James showcased his all-around prowess, leading the team with 23 points on an efficient 9-for-13 shooting, while also contributing six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes of play.
The game started on a high note for Team USA, who opened with a commanding 12-2 run. Despite this strong start, South Sudan proved they were not to be underestimated, clawing back to lead by 14 points at halftime. Known for their resilience, Team USA chipped away at the deficit, setting the stage for a nail-biting fourth quarter.
South Sudan demonstrated tenacity late in the game, briefly taking a one-point lead. However, a crucial defensive play by Anthony Edwards, who stripped the ball from Wenyen Gabriel, prevented what could have been a game-changing moment for South Sudan. Gabriel then missed an attempted putback after Carlik Jones' floater rimmed out in the final seconds, sealing their fate.
Jones, scintillating in his own right, was a standout for South Sudan, recording a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Marial Shayok provided a potent offensive threat with 25 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field and an impressive 6-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Despite their efforts, South Sudan's strong performance from three-point range, where they made 14 of their 33 attempts (42.4%), was not enough. Team USA struggled with their long-range shooting, hitting just 7 of 28 attempts, yet their dominance in the turnover battle, which they won 15-12, played a critical role in their hard-fought victory.
Steve Kerr's decision to deploy his second unit in the third quarter added a strategic layer to the game, and the contributions from the bench were invaluable. In his first run with the national team, White dished out five assists in just 11 minutes, offering a glimpse of his potential impact.
The game also saw a solid contribution from Joel Embiid, who added 14 points on near-perfect 5-for-6 shooting, seven rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes. "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense," observed analysts watching the game.
As Team USA continues their preparation, they'll turn their focus to the next challenge, an exhibition game against Germany in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. Observers are keen to see if Kerr will experiment with different lineups, noting, "I'd be curious to see what lineups with both Haliburton and White look like, but it's unclear if Kerr will even experiment with them." The anticipation is building as Team USA looks to sharpen their form ahead of upcoming international competitions.