In what was a dramatic and thrilling contest, Team USA narrowly edged out South Sudan with a 101-100 victory at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday. The game reached its pinnacle when LeBron James sank a game-winning layup with just eight seconds remaining on the clock, sealing the nail-biting win for the American side.
James was in stellar form, leading Team USA with 23 points on an efficient 9-for-13 shooting from the field. In addition to his scoring prowess, he contributed six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes of play. His leadership on the court was indispensable, particularly in the game’s waning moments.
Fast Start, Tough Battle
Team USA opened the game with a blistering 12-2 run, setting the tone early. However, the resilient South Sudan team fought back robustly, managing to overturn the deficit and secure a 14-point lead by halftime. Marial Shayok spearheaded South Sudan's offense with an impressive 25 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field, including 6-for-12 from beyond the arc.
The third quarter witnessed Team USA head coach Steve Kerr deploying his second unit, enabling some vital contributions from the bench. Specifically, White impressed with five assists in just 11 minutes during his debut run with the national team.
Climactic Fourth Quarter
As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, the lead swung between the teams like a pendulum. South Sudan managed to edge ahead by one point in the late stages of the game. However, crucial defensive plays from Team USA, including Anthony Edwards stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel in the final moments, thwarted potential game-changing plays from their opponents.
Wenyen Gabriel attempted to clinch the game for South Sudan with a putback after Carlik Jones' floater missed in the final seconds, but his effort fell short. Jones, however, had a commendable game, recording a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds.
Statistical Highlights
Despite their narrow victory, Team USA had their struggles, particularly from beyond the arc. They managed to convert just 7 of their 28 three-point attempts. Conversely, South Sudan demonstrated superior accuracy from long range, making 14 of their 33 attempts—a notable 42.4% success rate. Nevertheless, Team USA won the turnover battle, committing 15 turnovers compared to South Sudan’s 12, a factor that contributed to their win.
Joel Embiid added valuable contributions for Team USA, scoring 14 points on a highly efficient 5-for-6 shooting. He also notched seven rebounds and two assists in just 18 minutes of action. Team USA's defense once again proved to be a catalyst for their offense, an observation noted by many: “Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense.”
Looking Forward
Team USA will face another formidable opponent in Germany for an exhibition game on Monday at 3 p.m. ET in London. This matchup provides a further opportunity for the American team to fine-tune their strategies and rotations. Whether coach Kerr will experiment with different lineups, such as incorporating both Haliburton and White, remains to be seen but is certainly worth watching.
As Team USA continues their road to international competition, each game provides valuable lessons and pivotal moments that will shape their preparation and performance. Saturday's victory, while hard-fought, demonstrates the team’s resilience and capacity to deliver in clutch moments—a promising sign for their upcoming challenges.