Thrilling Finish as Team USA Edges Out South Sudan in London
In an electrifying exhibition game at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, Team USA managed to narrowly defeat South Sudan 101-100, thanks to a last-minute heroics by LeBron James. The game was a riveting contest filled with momentum shifts, clutch plays, and standout performances on both sides.
The match was decided in the waning moments when James executed a game-winning layup with just eight seconds remaining on the clock. James, who led Team USA with 23 points on an efficient 9-for-13 shooting, also contributed six rebounds and seven assists in just 23 minutes of action.
Team USA came out strong, opening the game with an impressive 12-2 run. However, South Sudan, showing tremendous resilience, managed to take control of the game by halftime, leading by 14 points. The second half was a different story as the U.S. fought back, forcing a nail-biting finale.
Late in the fourth quarter, the drama intensified. South Sudan recaptured a one-point lead, setting the stage for the closing theatrics. Anthony Edwards played a crucial role in the final moments, stripping the ball from Wenyen Gabriel to halt a potentially game-changing play. Gabriel, attempting to capitalize on a missed floater by Carlik Jones, failed to convert the putback. Jones, despite missing the shot, had an outstanding game, recording a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds for South Sudan.
Marial Shayok was another standout for South Sudan, scoring 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including an impressive 6-for-12 from three-point range. It was a contrast in fortunes behind the arc for Team USA, who made just 7 of their 28 three-point attempts, while South Sudan connected on 14 of their 33 attempts, a solid 42.4% success rate.
Despite the shooting disparity, Team USA managed to capitalize on turnovers, winning the turnover battle 15-12. Head Coach Steve Kerr also put his second unit on the floor during the third quarter, a move that brought fresh energy and a much-needed defensive boost. Notably, White, in his first run with the national team, dished out five assists in just 11 minutes.
Joel Embiid was another key contributor for Team USA, adding 14 points on an efficient 5-for-6 shooting, along with seven rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes of play.
The game left analysts and fans alike with plenty to discuss. One observer noted, "Team USA, as usual, was at their best when their defense led to offense." Indeed, it was the defensive stops and subsequent fast-break opportunities that allowed Team USA to claw their way back into the game.
The victory sets up another intriguing exhibition as Team USA is scheduled to meet Germany in London on Monday at 3 p.m. ET. Fans are already speculating on possible lineup adjustments, with some curious to see how combinations of Haliburton and White might fare in upcoming matches. From a previous game review, a comment underlined this intrigue: "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."
As the team gears up for their next contest, they do so with a sense of triumph, having navigated a fiercely competitive matchup. The exhibition games have provided invaluable insights into player performances and team dynamics, setting the stage for what promises to be an even more thrilling encounter against Germany.