The United States men’s basketball team will face South Sudan in its second group phase game of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France.
Team USA began Group C play with a 110-84 win over Serbia on Sunday. South Sudan is also 1-0 following a 90-79 win over Puerto Rico on Sunday.
Here’s what you need to know:
Final: USA 103, South Sudan 86
The United States had three team fouls just three minutes into the fourth quarter, allowing South Sudan to capitalize and cut the USA’s lead to 12. However, a slam dunk by Anthony Davis with six minutes left seemed to secure the victory, allowing Team USA to close out the game and go 2-0, advancing to the quarterfinals in Paris. South Sudan’s loss puts them at 1-1 in pool play.
Team USA made 37 field goals off 29 assists during the 17-point win. Adebayo led the United States with 18 points and seven rebounds, shooting 8 of 10 from the floor. James finished the game with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Durant contributed 14 points off the bench.
Omot led all scorers with 24 points for South Sudan after shooting 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Carlik Jones had 18 points and Shayok finished with 12.
The United States will wrap up pool play on Saturday against Puerto Rico.
Third quarter: USA 73, South Sudan 57
After Team USA built a 19-point lead heading into the third quarter, South Sudan made four consecutive shots, cutting the lead to 11. The United States had five turnovers through the first two quarters but struggled to take care of the ball after halftime, tallying four turnovers midway through the third. Despite early mistakes, Team USA responded and closed out the quarter.
Adebayo led the United States with 16 points, helping the team build back up a 16-point lead before the fourth. Stephen Curry, who went 0-for-4 from the 3-point line in the first half, continued to struggle in the third, scoring just one point through three quarters. South Sudan outscored Team USA 21 to 18 in the third, with efforts led by Omot and Bul Kuol who had 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Halftime: USA 55, South Sudan 36
The United States’ bench carried the team through the first half, outscoring South Sudan’s bench 40 to 5. Tyrese Haliburton made his 2024 Summer Olympic debut midway through the second quarter, setting the tone for Team USA after making back-to-back 3-pointers off his first and second touches of the Olympics, scoring six points in just over five minutes of playing time.
Bam Adebayo executed at every level for the United States in the second quarter. After scoring just two points in the first, Adebayo finished the half leading all scorers with 14, shooting 6 of 6 from the floor. James had 10 points and Durant finished with nine. Team USA had four blocks in the first half, went 10 of 13 from the free-throw line, and had 17 assists. South Sudan shot 37% from the field, had eight assists and went 1 of 1 from the free-throw line. Omot led South Sudan with 13 points.
First Quarter: USA 26, South Sudan 14
After getting off to a 6-0 start with LeBron James scoring two of Team USA’s three baskets, South Sudan regrouped after an early timeout. Midway through the first quarter, South Sudan went on a 5-0 run after Nuni Omot made a corner 3-pointer, putting South Sudan up 10-8. However, a unit off the bench led by Kevin Durant built a 12-point cushion for Team USA by the end of the quarter.
The United States forced South Sudan to commit six turnovers in the first quarter. Durant went 6-of-7 at the free-throw line, and James led the team with eight points. Marial Shayok led South Sudan with seven. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Haliburton did not play in the first quarter.
Team USA’s starting lineup
Team USA started Devin Booker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Stephen Curry. Davis and Tatum replaced Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid, who started the previous game against Serbia. Kevin Durant, who scored 23 points and went 5-for-5 from the 3-point line coming off the bench against Serbia, resumed his role as the sixth man against South Sudan.
What time is Team USA vs South Sudan in 2024 Paris Olympics?
Date: Wednesday, July 31
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Where: Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
How to watch, stream Team USA vs South Sudan in 2024 Paris Olympics
TV: USA Network
Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Team USA basketball roster
Devin Booker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, Joel Embiid, Bam Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton
South Sudan basketball roster
Deng Acuoth, Koch Bar, Sunday Dech, Majok Deng, Wenyen Gabriel, Peter Jok, Carlik Jones, Kuany Kuany, Junior Madut, Khaman Maluach, Nuni Omot, Marial Shayok