In a thrilling exhibition match at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA edged out a narrow victory over South Sudan, winning 101-100. The game, filled with dramatic turns and clutch performances, was capped off by a game-winning layup from LeBron James with just eight seconds remaining on the clock.
A Game of Runs
Team USA started the game on fire, beginning with a 12-2 run that had fans on the edge of their seats early on. Despite this initial burst, South Sudan roared back in the second quarter, seizing a 14-point lead by halftime. The pendulum of momentum swung continually, making it anyone's game going into the final moments.
LeBron James led Team USA with 23 points, an efficient 9-for-13 shooting performance, alongside six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes. His pivotal role in the game could not be overstated, especially with his last-second heroics that sealed the win for Team USA. “Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense,” noted observers.
Fourth Quarter Drama
South Sudan did not make it easy for the Americans. Late in the fourth quarter, they gained a one-point lead, keeping the pressure high on Team USA. Anthony Edwards delivered a crucial defensive play in the final moments, stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel to prevent a potential game-changing opportunity. Shortly after, Gabriel missed an attempted putback after Carlik Jones' floater failed to find the mark in the closing seconds.
Jones, however, had an impressive performance, recording a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Marial Shayok also shone brightly for South Sudan, scoring 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including an impressive 6-for-12 from beyond the arc. South Sudan’s three-point shooting was stellar, making 14 of their 33 attempts for a 42.4% conversion rate, compared to Team USA’s rather lackluster 7-for-28 performance from three-point range.
Kerr's Strategy and Key Performances
Steve Kerr’s strategic maneuvers also played a significant role in this nail-biter. Kerr opted to put his second unit on the floor in the third quarter, which provided a change of pace and energy for Team USA. White, running for the first time with the national team, registered five assists in 11 minutes—a commendable debut.
Joel Embiid was another standout for Team USA, contributing 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting in 18 minutes, along with seven rebounds and two assists. His low-post presence added a crucial element to their offensive and defensive schemes.
Looking Ahead
Next up for Team USA is another exhibition game against Germany in London, scheduled for Monday at 3 p.m. ET. The game will provide another opportunity for Coach Kerr to potentially experiment with different lineup combinations. “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,” echoed sentiments from a previous game review.
As Team USA continues to prepare for the upcoming international competitions, their performance against South Sudan offered a glimpse of their resilience and ability to adapt. Despite the ups and downs of Saturday's game, Team USA showcased why they remain among the elite in basketball.