In a thrilling exhibition match at London's O2 Arena, Team USA narrowly edged out South Sudan with a heart-stopping 101-100 victory. The game was a showcase of basketball at its finest, filled with dramatic turns and standout performances on both sides.
LeBron's Late-Game Heroics
The game culminated in a nail-biting sequence that saw LeBron James once again proving why he is one of the greatest of all time. With just eight seconds left on the clock, James made a game-winning layup that sealed the victory for Team USA. James delivered a stellar performance, leading the team with 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, complemented by six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes of play.
Fast Start, Roller-Coaster Middle
Team USA kicked off the game with a commanding 12-2 run, setting an early tone. However, South Sudan was not to be underestimated. By halftime, they had managed to turn the tables, taking a 14-point lead into the locker room. The match continued to sway back and forth, with South Sudan reclaiming a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter.
Defensive Plays Make the Difference
In the closing moments, defense became the key. Anthony Edwards stripped the ball from Wenyen Gabriel, preventing what could have been a game-changing play for South Sudan. Gabriel then missed an attempted putback after Carlik Jones' floater misfired in the final seconds, sealing South Sudan's fate.
Outstanding Individual Performances
For South Sudan, Marial Shayok and Carlik Jones were standouts. Shayok scored an impressive 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. Jones recorded a triple-double, amassing 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Despite their individual efforts, it was not enough to overcome Team USA's collective strength.
Not to be overshadowed, Joel Embiid added 14 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting, with seven rebounds and two assists in his 18-minute stint. Meanwhile, White made a notable contribution with five assists in merely 11 minutes, marking his first run with the national team.
Shooting Struggles and Turnovers
Team USA had a difficult time from long range, making just 7 of their 28 three-point attempts. In contrast, South Sudan shot 42.4% from beyond the arc, hitting 14 of their 33 attempts. Despite these shooting woes, Team USA managed to win the turnover battle, committing 15 to South Sudan's 12.
Coaching Decisions and Strategic Moves
Steve Kerr’s strategic decisions played a crucial role. He opted to put his second unit on the floor in the third quarter, providing fresh energy that helped Team USA to mount their comeback. Observers noted, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense." This tactical shift was pivotal in the high pressure moments of the game.
There is also curiosity about the combinations Kerr might deploy in future games. A previous game review noted, "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."
Looking Ahead
This victory sets the stage for another challenging encounter as Team USA prepares to meet Germany in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. This game will be another opportunity for Kerr to fine-tune his roster and for the players to continue building chemistry under competitive conditions.
As the team continues to gel, performances like the one displayed by LeBron James and Joel Embiid will be essential, along with the kind of defensive plays that saved the day for Team USA in this tightly contested battle. The game against Germany promises to be another test, and fans will be eager to see how this evolving squad responds.