In a high-octane thriller at the O2 Arena in London, Team USA edged out South Sudan 101-100 on Saturday, thanks to a last-second layup by LeBron James. The victory highlighted James' enduring clutch performance, as he sealed the game with just eight seconds on the clock.
James was the standout player, leading Team USA with an impressive stat line of 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting, six rebounds, and seven assists in just 23 minutes of play. From the onset, Team USA seemed to have the upper hand, sprinting to a 12-2 start. However, South Sudan displayed resilience, leading by 14 points at halftime and keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
The game took several dramatic turns, particularly in the fourth quarter. South Sudan managed to take a one-point lead late in the game, adding to the mounting tension. But it was Anthony Edwards who delivered a crucial defensive play, stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel in the closing moments, effectively preventing a potential game-changing play.
With Carlik Jones missing a floater in the final seconds, Gabriel attempted a putback that also missed, enabling Team USA to regain possession and set up James' heroic game-winner. Jones was a standout performer for South Sudan, notching a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Marial Shayok also had a strong showing, scoring 25 points, including an impressive 6-for-12 from three-point range.
The game was a tale of contrasting shooting performances from beyond the arc. Team USA struggled, hitting just 7 of their 28 three-point attempts. In contrast, South Sudan was lethal from downtown, making 14 out of their 33 attempts, a commendable 42.4% success rate.
Turnover management played a crucial role in Team USA's victory. They won the turnover battle 15-12, capitalizing on South Sudan's mistakes to swing the momentum in their favor. Head coach Steve Kerr also made significant strategic decisions, notably putting his second unit on the floor in the third quarter, giving his starters some critical rest and injecting fresh energy into the game.
Among the second unit players, White shone brightly in his debut run with the national team, dishing out five assists in just 11 minutes of play. Joel Embiid was another key contributor, adding 14 points on an efficient 5-for-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. His presence in the paint provided Team USA with a solid defensive anchor and offensive punch.
Observers noted, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense," underscoring the importance of defensive plays in their overall strategy. The win against South Sudan will provide significant momentum as Team USA prepares for their next challenge. They are set to face Germany in another exhibition game in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET.
While the game shed light on key player performances and strategic maneuvers, it also sparked questions about potential lineup experiments, particularly with backcourt combinations. As one comment from a previous game review mentioned, "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."
The opportunity for Team USA to continue refining their rotations and strategies is crucial, given the tight competition they face. As they look ahead, every game presents a valuable chance to sharpen their form and build team chemistry, vital components for success on the global stage.
In summary, Team USA's narrow win against South Sudan was a showcase of high drama, individual brilliance, and strategic decisions. LeBron James' game-winning layup will be remembered as a clutch moment in a game filled with twists and turns, setting the stage for another exciting matchup against Germany. The exhibition games serve not just as preparation, but as a testament to Team USA's depth, versatility, and unwavering determination.