Team USA Edges Out South Sudan in Thrilling Finish at O2 Arena
In a nail-biting exhibition game at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA narrowly defeated South Sudan 101-100 on Saturday, thanks to a dramatic game-winning layup by LeBron James with just eight seconds remaining. The closely contested match showcased intense back-and-forth action, with standout performances on both sides.
James was the standout player for Team USA, leading the team with a commendable 23 points, shooting 9-for-13 from the field. His all-around contributions included six rebounds and seven assists, achieved in just 23 minutes of play. James's decisive layup concluded a thrilling sequence that saw Anthony Edwards strip the ball from South Sudan's Wenyen Gabriel in the final moments, thwarting a potential game-changing play.
The match's intensity was evident from the beginning, as Team USA started strong with a 12-2 run. However, South Sudan answered back convincingly, taking a 14-point lead by halftime. The second half saw fluctuating leads, with South Sudan briefly reclaiming a one-point advantage late in the fourth quarter.
Carlik Jones was instrumental for South Sudan, achieving a remarkable triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Marial Shayok also delivered a stellar performance, leading his team in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including an impressive 6-for-12 from three-point range. Despite these efforts, it wasn't enough to secure the win for South Sudan.
The game's final moments were a flurry of activity. After Jones missed a floater in the closing seconds, Gabriel's attempt at a putback also fell short, leaving South Sudan just shy of victory. Team USA's defense, as noted by observers, was a crucial factor in their success, with Kerr's strategy emphasizing defensive plays that led to offensive opportunities.
Team USA's shooting from beyond the arc was notably subpar, converting only 7 of their 28 attempts. In contrast, South Sudan showcased their long-range prowess by making 14 of their 33 three-point attempts, shooting at a 42.4% clip. Despite this, Team USA managed to win the turnover battle, committing 15 turnovers compared to South Sudan's 12.
Steve Kerr made some strategic moves, including putting his second unit on the floor during the third quarter. This allowed some new faces to shine, such as White, who recorded five assists in 11 minutes in his debut with the national team. Additionally, Joel Embiid added significant value with 14 points on efficient 5-for-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes.
Reflecting on the game, the previous speculation about Kerr experimenting with different lineups, including combinations featuring both Haliburton and White, remained a topic of interest. As one observer had previously noted, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense," a sentiment that was clearly displayed in this intense matchup.
Looking ahead, Team USA will face Germany in another exhibition game in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET, where they will aim to maintain their winning form and continue refining their strategies as they prepare for future challenges. The game promises to be another exciting chapter in their journey, as they build on their hard-fought victory over South Sudan.