Team USA men's basketball escapes with a one-point win against South Sudan in Paris 2024 tuneup

After trailing for a majority of the game Saturday in London, Team USA's men's basketball team found themselves down by a point with 20 seconds remaining against a fiery and youthful South Sudan team. Yet, there was no panic. In fact, there was a sense of calm radiating from the United States' huddle as head coach Steve Kerr drew up the play for their final shot. The play call was a simple one - give the ball to LeBron James.

A poised James walked the ball up the floor with a palpable aura of confidence. Dribbling the ball throught his legs, he sized up his defender before bursting downhill towards the rim and elevating for a swirling, right-handed layup off the glass.

At 39, James will be the oldest player to ever play for Team USA's men's basketball team when the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begin, surpassing Larry Bird. Yet, he remains the focal point of the United States’ gold medal aspirations, both with his play and leadership. Team USA was able to get a stop on South Sudan's final possession, remaining undefeated during their Olympic tuneup run.

“I like those ones better than the blowouts, at least we get tested. I like getting tested,” James said as he walked off the floor. “Those are the best ones.”

James led the United States in scoring, recording 23 points to go along with six rebounds and six assists. Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid added 15 and 14 points respectively as the U.S. escaped with a 101-100 win at O2 Arena.

Marial Shayok, who played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019-20 NBA season, led South Sudan in scoring, pouring in 25 points including six three-pointers. Carlik Jones, who also had a brief stint in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls during the 2022-23 season, recorded an impressive triple double for South Sudan.

Team USA will suit up again Monday at the O2 Arena against Germany in its final tune-up game before Paris 2024.

Team USA escapes against South Sudan

Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, James and Embiid started for Team USA, who were again without Kevin Durant as he recovers from a calf strain. Team USA's all-time leading Olympic scorer could become the first male athlete to win four gold medals in any team sport should Team USA win a fifth-consecutive Olympic gold medal, but he could be tied to this record by Nikola Karabatic, should France win the men’s handball competition.

Kerr is optimistic regarding Durant’s availability when group play begins at Paris 2024, though he has not appeared in any of the warm-up games.

This starting group got out to a strong start in the opening minutes, leading 12-2 before South Sudan came storming back, eventually taking the lead following the first quarter with impressive shotmaking. This would be the theme of the first half as Team USA struggled to slow down the South Sudanese offense. The Bright Stars were content letting it fly from long range and knocked down these shots at an efficient clip, shooting 50% from deep, going 7-14 and shooting 61.1% from the field overall.

Team USA struggled to find any continuity or fluidity offensively, which was heavily impacted by the aggressive, attentive defense of South Sudan, who forced nine first-half turnovers. The U.S. struggled to find open shots and when they did, those were just not falling either, shooting 14-35 from the field and just 1-12 from deep. South Sudan took a 14 point lead into halftime.

The starting unit did not start the second half as Kerr turned to a lineup of Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Davis and Bam Adebayo. This group displayed better intentionally on offense, quickly cutting the South Sudanese lead to just four before the starters returned to the floor. South Sudan weathered this initial push from the U.S., continuing to light it up from deep as their confidence grew, extending their lead back to double digits. However, the United States quickly responded with a 14-0 run, capped off by a long three-pointer from Curry to give them their first lead since the first quarter. Entering the fourth quarter, Team USA led by five.

South Sudan stayed within striking range throughout the fourth quarter, withstanding every U.S. run before taking the lead in the final moments when JT Thor knocked down a corner three to give the Bright Stars a 100-99 lead. After James' layup regained the lead for Team USA, Jones had an excellent look at a game-winner for South Sudan but could not get it to fall as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Following Monday’s final tuneup game, Team USA will play three Group C games in Lille when the Games begin, with their first game being on 28 July, against Serbia. This will be followed by a 31 July rematch against South Sudan and a 3 August matchup with Puerto Rico before the knockout stages begin. The United States are looking to win their fifth-consecutive gold medal in Paris.