Team USA Edges South Sudan in Nail-Biter at the O2 Arena
In an electrifying exhibition game at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, Team USA narrowly escaped with a 101-100 victory over South Sudan, thanks to a stunning game-winning layup by LeBron James with just eight seconds left on the clock.
James delivered a stellar performance, leading the squad with 23 points on a highly efficient 9-for-13 shooting. His presence on the court was more than just scoring; he also contributed six rebounds and seven assists in only 23 minutes of play.
The game began with Team USA charging out of the gates, establishing a 12-2 run that set the tone early. However, South Sudan proved to be resilient, surging to a 14-point lead by halftime, showing they were more than capable of keeping pace with their vaunted opponents.
The second half unfolded with strategic adjustments and intense plays from both sides. Steve Kerr, in a bold coaching move, put his second unit on the floor during the third quarter, shaking up the lineup. Despite the mixed results, this tactic underlined Kerr’s determination to assess different roster combinations ahead of future matchups.
A dramatic fourth quarter saw South Sudan taking a one-point lead late in the game, threatening to pull off a significant upset. However, the experience and composure of Team USA shone through in the final moments. The crowd witnessed a crucial defensive play by Anthony Edwards, who stripped the ball from Wenyen Gabriel, preventing a game-changing play.
South Sudan had one last chance to clinch victory. After a missed floater by Carlik Jones, Gabriel attempted a putback that ultimately fell short. Jones, who recorded a remarkable triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, showcased his all-around abilities but couldn’t secure the triumph for his team.
Marial Shayok also delivered a standout performance for South Sudan, scoring 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including a sharp 6-for-12 from beyond the arc. Despite their impressive three-point accuracy—hitting 14 of 33 attempts for a solid 42.4%—South Sudan fell just short of the win.
In contrast, Team USA struggled with their three-point shooting, making only 7 of their 28 attempts. Nevertheless, they managed to win the turnover battle, recording 15 turnovers to South Sudan’s 12, a key statistic in such a tightly contested game.
Joel Embiid provided a significant boost off the bench for Team USA, adding 14 points on an almost perfect 5-for-6 shooting. His 18 minutes on the court were filled with impactful plays, pulling down seven rebounds and dishing out two assists. Coby White, in his first stint with the national team, contributed with five assists in just 11 minutes, showcasing his potential to fit into the team’s dynamic.
The exhibition game acted as a crucial preparation for Team USA, highlighting both their strengths and areas for improvement. The defensive hustle leading to offensive opportunities remained a core characteristic of their play—a point not lost on noted observers who remarked, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense."
Looking ahead, questions remain about the potential lineups Steve Kerr might experiment with. "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 one knowledgeable source from a prior game review, adding a layer of intrigue to the team’s strategic considerations.
As Team USA prepares for their next exhibition game against Germany in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET, they will undoubtedly analyze every aspect of this thrilling encounter with South Sudan. The game served as a potent reminder of the unpredictable nature of international basketball and the fine margins that often separate triumph from defeat.