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USA vs. South Sudan final score, results: LeBron James' game-winning layup completes United States' comeback

Kyle Irving

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USA vs. South Sudan final score, results: LeBron James' game-winning layup completes United States' comeback image

South Sudan was one possession away from a historic upset, but Team USA managed to survive the Olympic exhibition game 101-100 in London.

The United States went into its fourth pre-Olympics showcase game without much challenge from its opponents. Powerhouses like Canada, Australia, and Serbia put up a fight, but Team USA never truly felt in danger of losing.

That was far from the case against South Sudan on Saturday.

South Sudan looked fearless against their future Paris Olympics Group Stage opponent. Its defense was swarming, its ball movement was crisp, and everything was falling from 3-point range. South Sudan point guard Carlik Jones recorded a triple-double of 15 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, while former University of Virginia standout Marial Shayok poured in 25 points with six 3-pointers.

South Sudan's efforts were nearly enough for a miracle, but LeBron James had other plans.

The star forward called his own number with the game on the line, asserting himself to the basket for a go-ahead layup with eight seconds to play. He finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lead Team USA, once again showing his talent is timeless.

If you missed the thriller between the United States and South Sudan, The Sporting News had you covered with live updates, highlights, and more throughout the game below.

MORE: Who is Carlik Jones? Meet South Sudan's star point guard

USA vs. South Sudan basketball final score

 Q1Q2Q3Q4Final
USA24203720101
South Sudan26321825100

USA vs. South Sudan results, highlights from 2024 Olympic men's basketball exhibition game

Final: Team USA 101, South Sudan 100

5:10 p.m.: Team USA gets the stop it needed to win the game. Carlik Jones got a great look on a floater but Anthony Davis challenged the shot. Wenyen Gabriel had a chance to play hero after corralling an offensive rebound but Derrick White and Anthony Edwards stripped the ball loose. The United States survived.

5:07 p.m.: LEBRON JAMES. The King puts his head down and gets to the rim for a left-handed layup to give Team USA a 101-100 lead with eight seconds remaining. South Sudan has one last chance to pull off the miracle.

5:05 p.m.: JT THOR! The Hornets wing hits a corner 3-pointer to give South Sudan a 100-99 lead with 20 seconds remaining! Anthony Davis couldn't finish an alley-oop on the other end to set up Thor's go-ahead bucket. What a game.

5:03 p.m.: Marial Shayok buries a massive 3-pointer in transition to bring South Sudan within four, 99-95, with under two minutes to play. He is shooting with so much confidence, knocking down six triples on the night.

4:57 p.m.: Anthony Davis finishes a timely and-one on an assist from Derrick White to extend Team USA's lead. White has really helped the United States' ball movement in the second half — credit to Steve Kerr for inserting him into the rotation. Team USA is up 99-92 on South Sudan with 2:54 remaining.

4:55 p.m.: This one is coming down to the wire. Jayson Tatum finished a smooth up-and-under but Carlik Jones immediately responded with a tough finish on the other end. Team USA leads South Sudan 97-92 with 3:20 to play.

4:51 p.m.: Have a day, Carlik Jones. The South Sudan floor general has a triple-double of 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

4:49 p.m.: LeBron James has had enough. He's up to 21 points, six rebounds and six assists, starting to take over in the fourth quarter. South Sudan is still in this game but is trailing 90-84 with under seven minutes remaining.

End of third quarter: USA 81, South Sudan 76

4:43 p.m.: The United States closed the third quarter on a 16-0 run to regain the lead and halt South Sudan's momentum. Jrue Holiday's defense shifted the energy and the 3-ball started to fall, with Devin Booker and Stephen Curry knocking down triples.

LeBron James is still leading the charge with 16 points, asserting himself into the paint at will. This 3-pointer from Curry range is worth another look.

4:34 p.m.: South Sudan refuses to cool off. Marial Shayok is scorching from 3-point range, knocking down his fifth (!) triple of the game. South Sudan remains in the lead, 76-68, with under three minutes to play in the frame.

4:24 p.m.: Here comes the United States. Anthony Edwards knocked down a 3-pointer and Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo are starting to play bully ball inside. South Sudan remains in the lead but Team USA has trimmed the deficit to 62-56.

4:22 p.m.: Nuni Omot put Anthony Davis on a poster with a putback dunk, but Davis immediately got revenge with a massive block on Omot.

4:20 p.m.: Head coach Steve Kerr is going with a different lineup to start the second half. Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis are on the floor for Team USA.

Halftime: South Sudan 58, USA 44

4:02 p.m.: South Sudan is stunning Team USA in London. Its defense has held the United States to 1-for-11 shooting from 3 and created nine first-half turnovers. Carlik Jones has been the head of the snake, going for nine points, six rebounds and six assists. Every South Sudan player is knocking down shots, going 7-for-14 from 3.

LeBron James is the only player attacking for Team USA. He has 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, including an and-one in the final seconds of the first half.

Team USA is going to need to be much more decisive and aggressive on offense to stage a second-half comeback.

3:50 p.m.: Duke commit Khaman Maluach gives Joel Embiid a taste of his own medicine, knocking down a face-up midrange jumper. The 7-2 17-year-old is fitting in just fine.

3:46 p.m.: South Sudan is keeping the pressure on Team USA. Its defense has been energetic and swarming, holding the United States to 35.5 percent shooting from the field and 1-for-11 on 3-point attempts. Team USA trails South Sudan 43-30 midway through the second quarter.

3:38 p.m.: The rims aren't as generous on the United States' side. Team USA is just 1-for-10 from 3-point range and can't get anything to fall. It trails South Sudan 38-28 with 6:47 remaining in the half.

3:33 p.m.: South Sudan is shooting the lights out. Marial Shayok and Nuni Omot both buried triples to start the second quarter, giving South Sudan a 34-26 lead. South Sudan is shooting 6-for-11 from 3-point range.

End of first quarter: South Sudan 26, USA 24

3:29 p.m.: South Sudan with an extremely impressive start to this game. It weathered Team USA's 10-2 opening run to take a two-point lead going into the second quarter. Its ball movement has created open looks, knocking down four 3-pointers. Eight different players have scored, led by Wenyen Gabriel's six points on two 3s.

LeBron James' six points leads Team USA through the first frame.

3:19 p.m.: Duke commit Khaman Maluach throws down a dunk in transition to give South Sudan its first lead of the game! Team USA trails 18-16 with 3:20 to play in the first quarter.

3:18 p.m.: Team USA's second unit is in: Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo.

3:15 p.m.: Former Lakers forward Wenyen Gabriel is heating up for South Sudan. He's knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to keep his country in it early. Team USA leads 16-13 midway through the first quarter.

3:10 p.m.: LeBron James is putting on a show in London. The superstar forward has six of the United States' 10 points, capped off by a thunderous dunk to force a South Sudan timeout. Team USA leads South Sudan 10-2 in the first three minutes.

3:05 p.m.: This give-and-go from Joel Embiid to LeBron James gets Team USA started with a bang.

Pregame

3:00 p.m.: Kevin Durant (calf) warmed up ahead of the game but will not make his Team USA debut today, per The Athletic's Joe Vardon.

3:00 p.m.: South Sudan will start Marial Shayok, Nuni Omot, Wenyen Gabriel, Bul Kuol and Carlik Jones.

2:50 p.m.: Head coach Steve Kerr will go back to the first exhibition game starting lineup: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James and Joel Embiid.

2:30 p.m.: Team USA has not given an official ruling but Kevin Durant is on the floor warming up ahead of today's game. He has been sidelined for the first three exhibition games with a calf strain.

What channel is USA vs. South Sudan on today?

  • Start time: 12 p.m. ET
  • TV channel (U.S.): FOX

The U.S. Olympic men's basketball exhibition game against South Sudan will be played in London and broadcast nationally on FOX.

MORE: Ranking Team USA's players at the pre-Olympics midway point

How to watch USA Basketball before Olympics

Team USA's men's basketball exhibition games will be broadcast live on Fox's family of networks. 

The United States National Team was in Abu Dhabi for two exhibition games against Australia and Serbia. They are now are in London for two exhibition games before finally heading to Paris for the Olympics.

You can stream Team USA games online with fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial.

DateGame/ResultTime (ET)TV channel
July 10USA 86, Canada 72——
July 15USA 98, Australia 92——
July 17USA 105, Serbia 79——
July 20USA vs. South Sudan3 p.m.FOX
July 22USA vs. Germany3 p.m.FOX

MORE: Team USA found its answer for Nikola Jokic — and it's not Joel Embiid

When do the Olympics start?

The opening ceremony at the 2024 Olympics is July 26. The men's basketball tournament tips off the next day on July 27 and ends with the medal games on Aug. 10.

Team USA is one of 12 teams to qualify for the Paris Olympics. It will play in Group C with Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico.

DateGameTime (ET)TV Channel
July 28USA vs. Serbia11:15 a.m.NBC
July 31USA vs. South Sudan3 p.m.NBC
Aug. 3USA vs. Puerto Rico11:15 a.m.NBC
Aug. 6Men's basketball quarterfinalsTBD 
Aug. 8Men's basketball semifinalsTBD 
Aug. 10Men's basketball gold-medal gameTBD 
Aug. 10Men's basketball bronze-medal gameTBD 

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Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.