LeBron James Saves USA from South Sudan Upset in Olympic Warm-Up

In a thrilling warm-up game for the Paris Olympics, LeBron James led the USA to a narrow 101-100 victory over South Sudan at the O2 Arena in London. The 39-year-old NBA superstar scored a game-high 25 points, including the decisive basket with just eight seconds left.

South Sudan’s Near-Shock and USA’s Late Surge

South Sudan, leading 58-44 at halftime, nearly pulled off a major upset. They took a 100-99 lead after an 8-0 scoring run, highlighted by J.T. Thor’s three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Despite a last-minute opportunity, South Sudan couldn’t capitalize, missing crucial shots in the final seconds.

Coach Steve Kerr’s Reflections and Game Insights

US coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the close call, noting that South Sudan’s performance was a reminder of the intensity teams bring when facing the USA. “It’s a good experience for us to understand the level of competition we will face in Paris,” Kerr said.

Key Performances and Team Dynamics

James’ late-game heroics were complemented by solid performances from Joel Embiid, who added 14 points and seven rebounds, and Anthony Davis, with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Despite the win, Davis pointed out the need for better cohesion among the US team, which has limited practice time together.

South Sudan’s Standout Performances

For South Sudan, Marial Shayok led with 24 points, while Carlik Jones contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Thor added 14 points off the bench. South Sudan, ranked 33rd in the world, impressed with their performance and will face the USA again during the Olympic group stages in Lille on July 31.