Team USA escaped a major upset on Saturday, narrowly defeating South Sudan 101-100 in a pre-Olympic exhibition game held at the O2 Arena in London. The victory, though close, keeps the American team undefeated as they gear up for the Paris Olympics.

South Sudan Makes a Statement

The South Sudanese team came out firing, surprising the heavily favored Americans with their hot shooting and aggressive defense. They built a lead as large as 16 points in the first half, showcasing their talent and determination on the international stage. Led by a barrage of three-pointers, South Sudan challenged Team USA’s dominance throughout the game.

LeBron Delivers the Last Sting

Despite South Sudan’s impressive showing, Team USA’s experience and composure ultimately prevailed. The American squad chipped away at the deficit slowly but surely, with veterans like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker providing key scoring contributions. In the final seconds, with the score tied, basketball legend LeBron James rose to the occasion,converting a clutch layup to secure the win for Team USA.

Takeaways from a Close Encounter

This close encounter serves as a valuable wake-up call for Team USA. While they ultimately emerged victorious, the game exposed weaknesses that need to be addressed before the Olympics. South Sudan’s strong outside shooting and aggressive defense proved to be effective against the Americans. Head coach Steve Kerr will undoubtedly use this game film to make adjustments and ensure Team USA is fully prepared for the challenges they’ll face in Paris.

While not the dominant win many expected, Team USA’s victory over South Sudan is a testament to their resilience and ability to overcome adversity. The close contest has undoubtedly generated excitement for the upcoming Olympics, where Team USA will look to defend their gold medal.