In a nail-biting exhibition match at London’s O2 Arena, Team USA edged out South Sudan 101-100, marking a significant step in their journey toward a fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. LeBron James‘ clutch layup with eight seconds remaining clinched the victory after a remarkable comeback from a 14-point halftime deficit. Despite Carlik Jones’ triple-double (15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists), his missed jumper with four seconds left sealed the win for Team USA.
Key Moments and Highlights
This dramatic game served as a crucial test for Team USA’s resilience and strategy as they prepare for the Olympics. Here are the standout moments from the game:
- LeBron James’ Game-Winning Layup: With the clock winding down, James drove to the basket, securing a layup that pushed Team USA ahead by one point.
- Carlik Jones’ Triple-Double: South Sudan’s star, Jones, delivered an electrifying performance, showcasing his skills on an international stage.
- Second-Half Comeback: Down by 14 points at halftime, Team USA’s determination and tactical adjustments were pivotal in their comeback.
Team USA’s road to the Olympics has been impressive so far. Prior to this thrilling match, they secured victories over Olympic contenders Serbia and Australia in Abu Dhabi, as well as Canada in Las Vegas.
Upcoming Matches and Olympic Schedule
Team USA’s next challenge is against Germany on Monday, before heading to France. At the Olympics, they will compete in Group C, facing Serbia on July 28, South Sudan on July 31, and Puerto Rico on August 3 in Lille. The knockout rounds, including the quarterfinals (August 6), semifinals (August 8), and the gold medal game (August 10), will be held at Accor Arena in Paris.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as Team USA continues its quest for gold in Paris!
Team USA Triumphs Over South Sudan in a Thrilling Contest
Team USA Overcomes Its Toughest Challenge Yet
In a game that tested their resilience, Team USA managed to pull off a narrow victory against South Sudan, providing coach Steve Kerr with valuable insights into his squad. Here are the standout moments from the match:
Second Unit Steps Up
South Sudan’s length, energy, and shotmaking posed significant problems for the Americans. The first half saw Team USA struggling with perimeter shooting and defensive lapses, leading to a 14-point deficit at halftime. Kerr made a pivotal adjustment by starting the second half with his second unit: Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Davis.
This lineup injected much-needed energy, size, and defense into the game. Although the starters initially faltered upon their return, they ended the third quarter with a dominating performance. LeBron James took charge of the offense, and Jrue Holiday, the team’s top defender, sparked a defensive turnaround by forcing two critical turnovers.
Kerr’s decision to use White over Tyrese Haliburton in the second half paid off, as White contributed five assists in just 11 minutes, second only to James’ six assists.
Who is the Best Option at Center?
Joel Embiid finished the game with 14 points and seven rebounds but also committed three turnovers in 18 minutes. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, despite shooting only 4-for-12, was active on the offensive glass, securing six rebounds. He tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, and made nine trips to the free-throw line. In a close game, Kerr relied on Davis as the big man down the stretch.
Clutch Performance in the Final Moments
With Team USA trailing by one point and 20 seconds remaining, Kerr put his trust in a lineup of Curry, Devin Booker, Edwards, James, and Davis. When Curry couldn’t find an open shot, James drove to the basket and scored the crucial bucket, demonstrating his role as the team’s go-to player in clutch situations. James had an impressive game, shooting 9 of 13 and finishing with 23 points, six assists, and six rebounds.
For the final defensive stand, Kerr deployed White, Holiday, Edwards, Adebayo, and Davis. South Sudan’s Carlik Jones nearly capped his triple-double with a game-winner, but Davis challenged his shot enough to force a miss. Wenyen Gabriel grabbed the offensive rebound but missed his putback attempts, with Davis ultimately blocking the final shot to secure the win.
A Wake-Up Call for Team USA
This game highlighted areas for improvement and underscored the need for better team chemistry. The potential return of a healthy Kevin Durant could be crucial for future matchups. For now, this narrow victory serves as a vital wake-up call for Team USA.
Keeping an eye on South Sudan coach Royal Ivey
Strong effort from South Sudan
Reminder that these two teams will play again in Group C action.
… And for a lot of the second, as well
Another look at LeBron’s winner for Team USA
LeBron James closes out South Sudan with this driving layup. He finishes with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in an instant classic.
FINAL: USA 101, South Sudan 100
TEAM USA HOLDS ON FOR A THRILLING VICTORY!
In an electrifying game that came down to the wire, Team USA narrowly defeated South Sudan with a final score of 101-100. Carlik Jones and his South Sudan team had a couple of opportunities in the final seconds but just fell short. It was a game filled with intense moments and high stakes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
LeBron James Leads Team USA to Victory!
In a crucial moment, with Team USA down by one point, the spotlight fell on LeBron James. Despite Steph Curry’s attempts to shake off his defender, it was James who took charge. Surveying the court, he made a decisive drive to the basket, scoring to put Team USA ahead 101-100 with just 8.0 seconds remaining. ESPN NBA reporter Ohm Youngmisuk captured the moment perfectly, highlighting James’ heroics in crunch time.
JT Thor Gives South Sudan the Lead!
JT Thor delivered a clutch three-pointer, propelling South Sudan to a one-point lead with just 20 seconds left in the game.
South Sudan Keeps the Pressure On
South Sudan refuses to back down, holding a 100-99 advantage. With only 20 seconds remaining, all eyes are now on Steve Kerr to see what play he devises and who will take the crucial shot for Team USA. ESPN NBA reporter Ohm Youngmisuk highlights the intensity and suspense as the game reaches its climax.
Two-Point Game Thriller!
With less than a minute remaining, South Sudan is trailing by just two points, keeping the tension high.
Derrick White Proving His Worth for Team USA
Derrick White has quickly made his mark on Team USA, demonstrating his ability to develop chemistry with his teammates, particularly Anthony Davis. Replacing Kawhi Leonard on the roster, White started the second half as Steve Kerr opted to open the third quarter with his bench unit.
Playing ahead of Tyrese Haliburton this half, White has already tallied five assists, several of which have set up Davis for easy scores. Additionally, White’s defensive prowess was on display as he challenged a South Sudanese player into a missed transition layup. White’s impressive performance could be earning him a more significant role off the bench.
Team USA in Control, Kudos to Jones
The fourth quarter began with a thrilling back-and-forth between LeBron James and his former Lakers teammate Wenyen Gabriel. Gabriel hit a putback and banked a three-pointer, while James responded with a pull-up three and a driving layup, pushing Team USA to a six-point lead before Steve Kerr brought in the second unit for a breather.
Carlik Jones Shines with a Triple-Double
South Sudan’s Carlik Jones is making a strong case for an NBA contract, showcasing his skills with a triple-double performance. With over six minutes left, Jones has amassed 11 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds, turning heads with his impressive play.
Team USA Finally Finds Its Form
After a sluggish start, Team USA came alive, finishing the third quarter with a 16-0 run to take an 81-76 lead into the fourth quarter.
This is the Team USA that Grant Hill envisioned. Steve Kerr’s bench unit closed the gap to five points, but South Sudan surged back to a 76-65 lead. When the starters returned, they initially struggled, with LeBron James even getting blocked on a 1-on-3 attempt. However, James soon settled the team down, orchestrating a furious rally by setting up his teammates for open shots.
Jrue Holiday sparked the comeback with his suffocating defense, forcing two turnovers, one leading to a transition dunk by James with a foul. Steph Curry contributed with a pair of deep three-pointers, including one of his signature long-range bombs.
Team USA’s dominant run left South Sudan rattled, resulting in several rushed and poor shot attempts. Let’s see if Team USA can maintain this momentum.
THIRD QUARTER ENDS: Team USA 81, South Sudan 76
The game has taken a dramatic turn, with Team USA surging ahead after trailing by 14 points at halftime.
Team USA Dominates the Third Quarter
Team USA outscored South Sudan 37-18 in the third quarter, including a spectacular 16-0 run to close it out. This impressive stretch flipped the game in favor of the Americans.
Curry Gives Team USA the Lead!
Steph Curry nailed another three-pointer, allowing Team USA to reclaim the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter. The team’s resurgence has brought them back in control, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
Booker evens it up!
Team USA erases the deficit and is back into the game.
Curry knew it was going in
He now has nine points to try to keep Team USA within striking distance.
LeBron connects with Jrue
Deficit Back to Single Digits
Steve Kerr’s decision to start the second half with his bench unit is proving effective. Team USA is on a 14-4 run, narrowing the deficit to 62-58. Anthony Edwards has contributed 11 points and is beginning to find his rhythm.
Anthony Davis Making an Impact
When Anthony Davis gets the ball inside, he quickly makes his first move, drawing fouls and creating opportunities. Davis has scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds. Alongside Bam Adebayo, Davis is causing significant problems for South Sudan on both ends of the court.
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