USA Basketball-South Sudan:Highlights and more from France’s commanding Olympic victory

USA Basketball vs South Sudan recap:

This time, the American men’s basketball team competing in the Olympics would not suffer an upset or even face the possibility of one.

In their rematch against South Sudan, Team USA showed no mercy as they defeated them 103-86 on Wednesday in Group C pool play at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. With 18 points, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat led the team. Of those points, 14 came before halftime, as the American bench created a lead that South Sudan was unable to overcome. In addition to Derrick White, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Devin Booker all finished with double digits in points.

In an exciting showcase match between Team USA Basketball and South Sudan, the Americans needed a dramatic comeback in the third quarter to win. James, the captain of Team USA, scored 23 points to lead the way in that one.

This was Team USA’s second group play match. Team USA defeated Serbia 110–84 in its opening contest thanks to Durant’s extraordinarily effective 23 points. Durant made eight of nine field goals, five of which came from three-point range. James contributed 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists to the victory.

In the first game, South Sudan defeated Puerto Rico 90–79. In a tight showcase game versus Team USA, Carlik Jones became the first player to register a triple-double. He also scored a team-high 19 points in the first victory.

This virtually guarantees Team USA a position in the Olympic men’s basketball competition knockout round. To advance to the knockout stages, South Sudan must defeat Serbia in their group stage match.

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Make the entire nation proud:

South Sudan’s men’s basketball team overcomes the obstacles to motivate in the Olympics

On Wednesday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, the men’s basketball team of the United States will play South Sudan in their second group phase match in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Sunday, Team USA defeated Serbia 110-84 to start Group C play. Following a 90-79 victory over Puerto Rico on Sunday, South Sudan is now 1-0.

USA 103, South Sudan 86 in the end.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, the USA committed three team fouls, which gave South Sudan the opportunity to take advantage and reduce the USA’s lead to twelve.

But with six minutes remaining, Anthony Davis’ slam dunk appeared to strike the final nail in the coffin, enabling Team USA to win the game 2-0 and advance to the quarterfinals in Paris. With this loss, South Sudan’s standing in the pool is 1-1.

During the 17-point victory, Team USA made 37 field goals off of 29 assists. With eight of ten free throws, seven rebounds, and eight points, Adebayo led the US in scoring. James had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists at the end of the game. Durant scored 14 points while coming off the bench.

Omat led all scorers for South Sudan with 24 points, making 3-of-5 free throws from outside the arc. Shayok finished with 12 points, while Carlik Jones finished with 18.

On Saturday, the US will play Puerto Rico to conclude pool play.

South Sudan 57, USA 73 in the third quarter

Team USA had a 19-point advantage going into the third quarter, but South Sudan would make four straight baskets to narrow the margin to just 11.

The United States struggled to manage the ball after halftime, racking up four turnovers midway through the third quarter, after having five through the first two quarters. Nevertheless, Team USA was able to recover and finish the quarter in spite of some early errors.

Stephen Curry, who shot 0-for-4 from three in the first half, struggled again in the third quarter, scoring just one point through three quarters. Adebayo led the United States with 16, helping the team regain a 16-point advantage before the fourth.

In the third quarter, South Sudan defeated Team USA 21 to 18, largely due to the contributions of Omot (16) and Bul Kuol (13).

USA 55, South Sudan 36 at the half.

The US bench outscored South Sudan’s bench 40 to 5, helping the side get through the first half.

Halfway through the second quarter, Tyrese Haliburton made his Olympic debut in the summer of 2024. After shooting back-to-back 3-pointers on his first and second Olympic touches, Haliburton set the tone for Team USA, scoring six points in little over five minutes of action.

During the second quarter, Bam Adebayo played for the United States at every level. Adebayo led all scorers with 14 points at the half, shooting 6 of 6 from the field, after scoring just two points in the first quarter.

In the first half, Team USA recorded four blocks, made 10 of 13 free throws, and had 17 assists. South Sudan was 1 of 1 from the free-throw line, had eight assists, and shot 37% from the field.