LeBron James rescued Team USA from what would have been a massive upset.
With the Americans trailing 100–99 and fewer than 10 seconds remaining, James went hard to the hoop from the left side, deftly sticking the ball off the glass and through the net to give Team USA the lead again and eventual 101–100 victory. It was a vintage move from one of the greatest players in the sport's history. And Team USA needed it to save them.
For the game's opening 20 minutes, the Americans looked completely overmatched against South Sudan. Yes, you read that right.
South Sudan used hot shooting and swarming defense to take a 58–44 lead into halftime. U.S. head coach Steve Kerr answered by opening the second half with his second unit, as Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Bam Adebayo got the nod out of the break. The group was aggressive from the start and pushed during a 14–4 run to cut the deficit to 62–58. Davis was particularly aggressive on the interior.
The starters re-entered the game after a hot start by the bench and continued the push. Team USA outscored South Sudan 37–18 in the third quarter, including a 16–0 run to close the frame. Stephen Curry nailed a deep three-pointer to give the U.S. the lead again.
STEPH CURRY FROM THE BAY AREA.
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 20, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FoxSports pic.twitter.com/awqyVHWpOZ
The fourth quarter saw the Americans re-establish the lead, but South Sudan wouldn't go away. With less than a minute to go it was a two-point game, when Charlotte Hornets forward JT Thor nailed a three-pointer from the corner to give the South Sudanese a one-point lead.
JT Thor gives South Sudan the lead with 20 seconds left in the 4Q!
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2024
USA-South Sudan | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/BoEqIN5owu
Then James stepped in to give Team USA the lead, and the win.
IT'S WHAT HE DOES. 🥶
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 20, 2024
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FoxSports pic.twitter.com/zGBz6TJ54T
A late scramble on the other end yielded no points and the Americans could exhale after an unexpectedly hard-fought victory.
South Sudan shot 42.4% from three-point range during the game, which allowed them to keep pace with the Americans. Marial Shayok led the way for the South Sudanese with 25 points, including six three-pointers.
James led the way for the Americans, scoring 23 points, while adding six assists and six rebounds. His Los Angeles Lakers teammate Anthony Davis added 14 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Joel Embiid chipped in with 14 pounds, seven boards and three assists. While Curry hit a few big shots, he struggled his way to 12 points, as he went just 3-of-9 from three-point range.
Team USA is now 4–0 in its Olympic tune-up tour and will face Germany on Monday in London. South Sudan will get another shot at the Americans during group play at the Olympics.
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Team USA Sneaks By South Sudan in Olympic Tune-Up After Furious Comeback.
