LeBron James rescued the U.S. team from what would have been a surprising defeat.
James scored a crucial layup with 8 seconds remaining on Saturday, securing a 101-100 victory over South Sudan in London. The U.S. Olympic squad, soon heading to the Paris Games, rallied from a 16-point deficit to avoid what could have been its biggest upset ever.
South Sudan, a nation that gained independence just 13 years ago and is preparing for its first Olympic appearance, held the lead for more than half of the game and had a chance to win at the end. However, Carlik Jones missed a runner off the glass with about 4 seconds left, allowing the Americans to escape.
“To be honest, I prefer games like this over blowouts,” James commented after the game. “At least we are challenged.”
The U.S. team faced a serious test from a squad that entered the game as massive 43.5-point underdogs, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
“It’s a good reminder that every time we play against a team, it’s the biggest game of their lives,” said U.S. coach Steve Kerr. “We have to expect them to give their all.”
Despite trailing by 16 points at one stage, the Americans staged an impressive comeback with an 18-0 run in the second half. Yet, they still needed late-game heroics. JT Thor’s 3-pointer gave South Sudan a 100-99 lead with 20 seconds left. After calling a timeout, the Americans entrusted James to make the decisive play.
James ended the game with the highest score of 25 points, along with six rebounds and seven assists for the U.S. team, which improved to 4-0 with one game remaining — Monday against World Cup champions Germany — in their pre-Olympic exhibition tour. Anthony Davis contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds for the American side.
Marial Shayok led South Sudan with 24 points, while Jones achieved a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Both teams are set to face each other again in group play at the Paris Olympics on July 31.
“In basketball, anything can happen,” remarked U.S. guard Stephen Curry. “You aim for perfection every game, but sometimes it’s not achievable. The key is to dig deep and focus on the little things that contribute to victory. Offense can fluctuate, but defense is crucial for winning championships, medals, and other honors.”
On paper, the game should have been a mismatch, and initially, it seemed so — but not in the expected way.
The U.S. squad boasts a roster of 12 players, all either NBA All-Stars, champions, or both, with a collective career total of 189,038 points and 7,832 starts. Conversely, South Sudan has only four players who have appeared in NBA games, totaling 1,228 points and 19 starts among them.
Yet, the early lead was held by the U.S. at 8-0 within the first 2 1/2 minutes. However, for the remainder of the half, South Sudan dominated with 58 points compared to the U.S.’s 34. The American team allowed South Sudan to shoot 61% in the first half and were outscored 21-3 from the 3-point range during the initial 20 minutes of play.
“I didn’t adequately prepare our team,” Kerr admitted. “We didn’t focus enough on their capabilities, and that’s my responsibility.
“That allowed South Sudan to gain confidence early on. They were excellent and played a great game. It was good for us to experience that, to feel what it will be like in Paris and Lille.”
A decisive 18-0 run in the second half, with James playing a crucial role, turned the tide for the U.S., erasing a 76-65 deficit and pushing them ahead 83-76.
South Sudan had a commanding 58-42 lead late in the first half before the U.S. closed the gap to 14 points with a last-minute basket before halftime.
The 18-0 run was pivotal. James contributed four assists during this stretch, and Curry’s long-range 3-pointer late in the third quarter gave the U.S. their first lead since the opening quarter, 79-76.
Wenyen Gabriel’s banked 3-pointer brought South Sudan within 85-84, but James, his former Lakers teammate, responded with a 3-pointer on the next U.S. possession. In the end, the Americans narrowly secured the victory.
“Today, we represented our country with pride, fought hard, and showcased our country’s potential,” Gabriel remarked. “It was a proud moment for many people.”
Davis mentioned that the team arrived at the arena late due to heavy traffic in London, disrupting their pre-game routines.
Regardless, South Sudan demonstrated to the U.S. that no team at the Olympics will give up easily against the four-time defending gold medalists.
“The closeness of the game doesn’t matter,” James concluded. “Our goal was to improve out there.”
