The United States men's basketball team is gearing up for a crucial showdown against South Sudan in their second group-stage game on Wednesday, with a tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. Both teams enter the contest with momentum, having secured victories in their respective openers. Team USA triumphed over Serbia, while South Sudan emerged victorious against Puerto Rico.
High Stakes and High Hopes
The stakes are high for this game, as the winner will secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The Olympic format features 12 teams divided into three groups of four, engaging in a round-robin schedule. Teams are awarded two points per win and one per loss during the group stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place teams, will advance to the quarterfinals, which transition into a single-elimination knockout tournament. Tiebreakers are determined by head-to-head results, and total score differentials break ties for the wild card spots between teams from opposing groups.
Recent Encounters and Key Performers
The United States had a recent exhibition game against South Sudan, where LeBron James made a last-second shot to secure a 101-100 victory. This close encounter has left a substantial impression on the team. "They came within one shot of beating us," remarked head coach Steve Kerr, emphasizing the competitive nature of South Sudan's squad.
Star-Studded Lineups
Team USA's starting lineup against Serbia featured basketball heavyweights like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid. Durant led the scoring with 23 points, while Curry contributed significantly despite recent shooting struggles, netting six points from two three-pointers. Notably, Jayson Tatum was absent from the opener, a decision Kerr later reflected on, stating, "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener."
South Sudan boasts a talented roster as well, including Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and projected lottery pick for the 2025 NBA draft, adds significant height and skill to their team. Gabriel, Shayok, and Jones were standout performers in the exhibition game against the United States. Shayok scored 24 points, including six three-pointers, while Jones posted an impressive triple-double. Gabriel's three three-pointers were crucial during the contest.
Preparation and Strategy
Stephen Curry underscored the team's focus and respect for their opponents, stating, "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win." He acknowledged South Sudan's strengths, describing them as "a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism." Curry also highlighted the differences between preparing for South Sudan and Serbia, saying, "So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia."
Kerr echoed these sentiments, expressing his gratitude for having played South Sudan in the exhibition match. "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are," he said. This experience is expected to be invaluable as Team USA prepares to face South Sudan in what promises to be a high-intensity game.
Anticipating the Match
As both teams prepare to clash with a quarterfinal berth on the line, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest. The United States will look to leverage their star-studded roster and learnings from the exhibition game to edge out a victory. Meanwhile, South Sudan will aim to capitalize on their previous strong performance and seek redemption for their narrow loss. With talented athletes on both sides and much at stake, Wednesday's game is shaping up to be a highlight of the Olympic basketball tournament.