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NY Post
New York Post
31 Jul 2024


NextImg:USA men’s basketball flips script against South Sudan at Olympics after tune-up scare

This time Team USA was fully focused.

And full dominant.

After nearly suffering a humbling exhibition loss to South Sudan two weeks ago, the African upstarts had Team USA’s full attention in Wednesday’s Olympic win.

The result was a professional-looking 103-86 Group C victory that saw them through into the quarterfinals.

LeBron James, after 21 points in the opener against Serbia, had a dozen points, six rebounds and five assists, albeit a half-dozen turnovers.

LeBron James dunks against South Sudan at the Olympics on July 31, 2024. Pool via REUTERS

Kevin Durant had 14 points off the bench. And center Joel Embiid didn’t play, with Bam Adebayo getting extended playing time to finish with 18 points, seven boards and two blocks.

“Each game’s different and we’re going to need everybody,” Team USA coach Steve Kerr said beforehand. “And so, matchups will determine at times who we play, but we need everybody ready to roll and whatever it takes to win that game, that’s what we need to do.”

Kerr’s matchup calls paid off, starting Anthony Davis instead of Embiid.

South Sudan — coached by New York native and former Nets and Knicks assistant Royal Ivey — uses an athletic lineup with bigs that space the floor.

The Bright Stars drilled 14 3-pointers two weeks ago in London, when Team USA needed a last-ditch James drive to escape with a one-point win.

South Sudan had drawn Embiid out of the paint with big guys who can shoot, and had success in London. But this time Jayson Tatum started and Embiid sat in a wing-heavy lineup.

Kevin Durant celebrates during Team USA's Olympics win over South Sudan on July 31, 2024.
Kevin Durant celebrates during Team USA’s Olympics win over South Sudan on July 31, 2024. AP

Team USA handed out 29 assists and notched 13 steals. They play Puerto Rico to close the group but will advance, win or lose.

South Sudan played well under Ivey and still can advance depending on their result against Serbia and Nikola Jokic. Nuni Omut — who once went to Summer League with the Nets — led South Sudan with 24.