On the verge of a stunning upset by South Sudan, USA Basketball’s veteran star LeBron James delivered in the clutch. Rallying from a 16-point deficit, the USA team triumphed 101-100, with James scoring the game-winning basket with 8.0 seconds left.
South Sudan, ranked 33rd in the FIBA world rankings, jumped to an early lead thanks to Marial Shayok’s 24 points and six three-pointers. They were up 58-44 at halftime, while the top-ranked USA team struggled from deep, hitting just 1-of-12 three-pointers.
The Americans responded with a dominant 37-18 third quarter, fueled by a 16-0 run, to take a five-point lead into the final period. Despite maintaining their edge, South Sudan fought back, with JT Thor’s three-pointer giving them a 100-99 lead with 20 seconds remaining.
James then answered with a game-winning layup, and the USA’s defense held strong on South Sudan’s final possession to secure the win. James led the USA with 25 points, supported by Anthony Davis (15 pts, 11 rebounds), Joel Embiid (14 pts, 7 rebounds), Anthony Edwards (11 pts), and Steph Curry (10 pts).
LEBRON JAMES WINS IT FOR #USABMNT
pic.twitter.com/IHdQBZVB87
— NBA (@NBA) July 20, 2024
The victory improved the USA’s record to 4-0 in exhibition games this summer. They will conclude their showcase tour in London against Germany on Monday.
South Sudan, led by team president and NBA legend Luol Deng, will continue preparing for their first-ever Olympics, marking a significant rise in African basketball.
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The post SOURCE SPORTS: LeBron James Leads USA Basketball to Narrow Victory Over South Sudan appeared first on The Source.