In a thrilling exhibition game at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA edged out South Sudan with a nail-biting 101-100 victory. The match, which took place on Saturday, showcased high-octane action and featured several standout performances from both sides.
LeBron James Steals the Show
The highlight of the evening came courtesy of LeBron James, who made a game-winning layup with just eight seconds left on the clock. James led Team USA with a stellar performance, scoring 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting. In addition to his scoring prowess, James contributed six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes of play.
"Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense," noted observers, encapsulating the core strategy that has defined the team's play over the years. Team USA indeed demonstrated this throughout the game, starting strong with a 12-2 run.
South Sudan’s Resilient Effort
Despite their fast start, Team USA found themselves trailing by 14 points at halftime, as South Sudan mounted a robust comeback. Marial Shayok led South Sudan with an impressive display, scoring 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 6-for-12 from beyond the arc. His teammate, Carlik Jones, also put on a clinic, achieving a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds.
South Sudan’s tenacity was on full display late in the fourth quarter when they took a one-point lead. As the clock wound down, it seemed like South Sudan might pull off an upset. However, Team USA's Anthony Edwards stepped up defensively, stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel in the closing moments to prevent what could have been a game-changing play.
Crunch-Time Drama
The final seconds of the game were a frenzy of missed opportunities and key plays. Wenyen Gabriel missed an attempted putback after Carlik Jones' floater fell short in the closing seconds. This left the door open for James to make his decisive move, securing the win for Team USA.
While South Sudan excelled from the three-point line, making 14 of their 33 attempts for an impressive 42.4%, Team USA struggled in this area, converting just 7 of their 28 attempts. Despite this disparity, Team USA managed to win the turnover battle 15-12, a critical factor in their narrow victory.
Contribution from the Bench
Team USA’s head coach, Steve Kerr, made strategic decisions that played a part in the victory. He put his second unit on the floor in the third quarter, a move that allowed key players to rest and adapt to the ebb and flow of the game. White, in his first run with the national team, recorded five assists in just 11 minutes, making the most of his limited playing time.
Joel Embiid also made a significant impact off the bench, scoring 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 18 minutes. Embiid added seven rebounds and two assists, providing much-needed support for the starting lineup.
Looking Ahead
Team USA is set to face Germany in another exhibition game in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. As Kerr and his coaching staff continue to experiment with different lineups, the performance against South Sudan will undoubtedly provide valuable insights. "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," commented a fan, echoing the sentiments of many who are eager to see how different roster configurations could benefit the team.
Saturday’s game offered a blend of excitement, tension, and high skill levels, serving as both an engaging contest and a valuable test for both teams. As Team USA continues its preparation for more significant challenges ahead, the lessons learned from this narrow victory will be crucial in shaping their approach and performance in future games.