In an entertaining Olympic warm-up game at London’s O2 Arena, the United States basketball team staged a remarkable comeback to secure a narrow 101-100 victory over South Sudan, averting what could have been one of the biggest upsets in basketball history.
South Sudan stunned early, establishing a commanding 58-42 lead by halftime and maintaining a 14-point advantage at the break.
Their sharp shooting, hitting 61% of their shots compared to USA’s lone three-pointer in the first half, posed a formidable challenge to the world number one team.
However, the USA mounted an impressive comeback in the third quarter, ending with a 16-0 run to take a five-point lead.
Yet, South Sudan fought back fiercely, reclaiming a one-point lead with just 20 seconds left on the clock.
In a tense finale, LeBron James came through for the USA, sinking a crucial lay-up with eight seconds remaining to secure a hard-fought victory.
James, finishing with 23 points, capped off a stellar second-half performance that proved decisive for the American squad.
The victory maintains the USA’s unbeaten record in their pre-Olympic exhibition games, setting the stage for their pursuit of a fifth consecutive men’s basketball gold medal at the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
In contrast, South Sudan, ranked 33rd globally, will make their Olympic debut.
Reflecting on the challenging match, two-time Olympic champion LeBron James acknowledged the importance of the test, stating, “That was better than the blowouts, at least we got tested – I like getting tested baby.”
Both teams will meet again in Group C of the 2024 Olympics on July 31.
