LeBron James helps USA avoid defeat against South Sudan in warm-up game

• South Sudan produced a magnificent display in their Olympic warm-up game against the USA but fell short
• Luol Deng's team lost by one point but matched the basketball giants throughout the gripping encounter in London
• LeBron James scored the game-winning layup with eight seconds left, but South Sudan failed to score with their last possession

The USA national basketball team avoided a surprise defeat to South Sudan in an Olympics warm-up match in London, UK.

The basketball giants erased a 16-point deficit to secure a narrow 101-100 win over the African team preparing for their first Olympic appearance.

South Sudan were close to the biggest upset in basketball history against the USA, but LeBron James secured the win. Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis
Source: UGC

Much of the pre-game talk was about how the USA were going to crush the South Sudanese because of the significant talent disparity. NBA champion, Paul Pierce even said the African team had no player over 6-foot-3.

However, Luol Deng's team quickly silenced the doubters by taking a 58-44 lead at halftime against a team with multiple NBA MVPs like Stephen Ci=urry and LeBron James.

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Steve Kerr's team went on a 16-0 run in the third quarter, but South Sudan roared back to go one up in the dying embers of an engrossing encounter at the O2 Arena.

James' layup with eight seconds left on the clock sealed a hard-fought win. South Sudan's Carlik Jones had a triple-double (15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists) but missed a game-winning jumper with four seconds left, per ESPN.

The USA are looking to win their fifth straight gold medal in men's basketball at the Olympics. They are in the same group at the Pris Olympics, and the 33rd-ranked nation will be seeking revenge when they meet on July 31.

Reactions to South Sudan's performance

@EMAGTaylor:

"Great job for almost beating the number one ranking team in the world of men's basketball. This means South Sudan just sky rocketed the possibility of winning maybe gold in Paris. Awesome game!"

@MarzoMarinho:

"What a team. Can’t wait to see you guys in the Olympics."

@BKSecretsports:

"Amazing performance by you guys, nothing to be upset about. You will be a problem come next week for the Olympics, keep working!"

@pjtj2443323:

"The world has really caught up... Even with the stars on team USA, they will have to EARN that gold medal."

@franklinisbored:

"Absolutely - watch out for them in the Olympics"

Toni Payne joins Everton

In another story, Legit.ng reported that Super Falcons star Toni Payne joined Everton after leaving Sevilla, where he spent six years, and joined the Barclays Women's Super League side.

Payne's first European adventure was with Ajax Women, where she spent only one season before moving to Spain. She was part of the Falcons squad at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Source: TUKO.co.ke