The anticipation is palpable as the United States men's basketball team gears up to face South Sudan in their second group-stage game this Wednesday. Scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off, this match carries significant weight, with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line for the winner.
Team USA enters this game with momentum, having secured a win against Serbia in their opener. Their victory was facilitated, in part, by Kevin Durant's impressive 23-point performance and crucial contributions from stars like LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid. Interestingly, Stephen Curry, despite a recent shooting slump—he's 12 for 31 in his last three games and 7 for 23 from beyond the arc—managed to hit two critical three-pointers, scoring six points against Serbia. Coach Steve Kerr made a surprise move by not playing Jayson Tatum in the opener, a decision he later regretted, admitting, "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener."
On the other side, South Sudan emerged victorious against Puerto Rico in their first game. The team boasts a roster full of promising talent, including Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Khaman Maluach, a towering 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, adds to their depth. Carlik Jones has been particularly impressive; he posted a triple-double in an exhibition game against the Americans and contributed 19 points, along with six assists and seven rebounds, in the win over Puerto Rico.
The previous exhibition between these two teams was a nail-biter, with Team USA narrowly escaping defeat thanks to a last-second shot by LeBron James, securing a 101-100 win. South Sudan's Carlik Jones and Marial Shayok made significant impressions, with Jones achieving a triple-double and Shayok netting 24 points, including six three-pointers. Wenyen Gabriel also demonstrated his long-range shooting prowess, sinking three three-pointers in that close contest. Reflecting on that match, Coach Kerr acknowledged, "They came within one shot of beating us," underscoring the competitive edge South Sudan brings to the court.
The Olympic format sees 12 teams divided into three groups of four, each playing a round-robin schedule. Wins and losses translate into points—two for a win, one for a loss—adding layers of strategy as teams vie for the top spots. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, move into the quarterfinals, which transition into a single-elimination knockout tournament. In the event of a tie for wild card spots, total score differentials break the deadlock between teams from different groups.
Stephen Curry articulated the team's cautious yet determined mindset going into the game against South Sudan, stating, "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win." He also highlighted the stylistic differences they would encounter, comparing South Sudan to Serbia: "They're a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism. So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia."
A win on Wednesday would not only ensure Team USA's advancement but also boost their confidence heading into the knockout stages. The stakes are equally high for South Sudan, who have proven themselves formidable opponents. As the final whistle approaches, the basketball world waits with bated breath to see which team will seize their moment and secure a quarterfinals berth.
For Team USA, this game isn't just another on their Olympic schedule; it's a pivotal test against an emerging basketball power. As Coach Kerr reflected on the exhibition game, he noted, "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are." Wednesday's match promises to provide all the excitement and drama that Olympic basketball is known for, making it a must-watch for any sports enthusiast.