The US men’s basketball team secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics with a 103-86 victory over South Sudan on Wednesday night. The game, though not a blowout, was comfortably controlled by the Americans, marking their advancement in the tournament.
2-0 & top of Group C!
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/G3TWrRhm5r
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 31, 2024
Key Performances
- Bam Adebayo: 18 points
- Kevin Durant: 14 points
- Anthony Edwards: 13 points
- LeBron James: 12 points
South Sudan:
- Nuni Omot: 21 points
- Carlik Jones: 18 points
- Bul Kuol: 16 points
Game Highlights
- First Half: The US took charge with a 25-4 run, leading 33-14 at one point.
- Third Quarter: South Sudan managed to cut the lead to 10 points, but the US maintained a comfortable advantage.
- Final Score: US 103, South Sudan 86
Quarter-Final Qualification
- US Position: The win confirmed the US as the No. 1 seed out of Group C.
- Other Teams: Canada, France, and Germany also secured their spots in the quarter-finals.
- Remaining Teams: Seven teams are still vying for the remaining four quarter-final spots, with Puerto Rico already eliminated.
Upcoming Matches
- US vs. Puerto Rico: The final group stage game for the US is scheduled for Saturday. A win would ensure a perfect 3-0 record in the group stage.
- South Sudan: The team will face Serbia on Saturday, a game crucial for their knockout-stage prospects.
Coaching and Strategy
- Changes: US coach Steve Kerr adjusted the starting lineup, including Anthony Davis and Jayson Tatum while resting Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid. Embiid did not play, and Tyrese Haliburton made his Olympic debut.
- Rotation: The US used an 11-man rotation in the first half, leading 55-36 at the break.
Looking Ahead
- Quarter-Final Draw: The draw for the quarter-finals will take place on Saturday night, with games scheduled for Tuesday in Paris.
- South Sudan’s Journey: Despite the loss, South Sudan’s journey from their Olympic debut to now has been a remarkable story of overcoming odds.
The US men’s basketball team continues to demonstrate their strength and adaptability as they move forward in the tournament.