Team USA Dominates South Sudan, Locks in Quarterfinal Spot in 2024 Olympics

The United States men’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance in their 103-86 victory over South Sudan, fortifying their spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The win on Wednesday marked Team USA’s second consecutive triumph in Group C pool play, displaying a balanced scoring approach and robust defense.

Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat led the charge with 18 points, shooting 80% from the field and shooting 66% from three. Adebayo’s performance was highlighted by his efficient scoring and defensive tenacity, contributing seven rebounds and a plus/minus of plus 22. His confidence in his 3-point shot was evident, going 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James, two of the NBA’s biggest stars, continued to play pivotal roles for Team USA. Durant chipped in 14 points and added three steals, while James contributed 12 points becoming the third player in Olympic history to reach 300 points and the only player to hit 300 points and at least 100 assists in an Olympic career. Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Derrick White also reached double figures, underscoring the team’s depth and balanced scoring.

The game against South Sudan was a rematch of their exhibition game game, where the Americans had to mount a significant third-quarter comeback to secure the win. In contrast, Wednesday’s game saw Team USA establish a lead early on, thanks to Adebayo’s 14 first-half points, and they never looked back.

South Sudan, coming off a 90-79 win over Puerto Rico in their opener, struggled to contain the Americans’ offense. Carlik Jones, who had recorded a triple-double in the exhibition game against Team USA, led South Sudan with 19 points in their first win but was unable to replicate that success against the dominant American squad.

In their opening game of the Paris Olympics, Team USA displayed their offensive firepower with a 110-84 victory over Serbia. Durant was particularly efficient, scoring 23 points on 8-for-9 shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range. James added 21 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in that win.

With two wins in as many games, Team USA has all but sealed their place in the knockout stage of the tournament. They will conclude Group C play on Saturday against Puerto Rico, aiming to maintain their perfect record and momentum heading into the quarterfinals.

South Sudan will face Serbia in their final group stage match, needing a win to advance to the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, Team USA’s performance in Paris continues to highlight their status as favorites for the gold medal, with contributions from across the roster and standout performances from their star players.

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