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2024 Paris Olympics

Team USA bench stands out in 103-86 win over South Sudan

© John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA is now 2-0 in group play after defeating South Sudan 103-86 in their second game of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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The U.S. used a balanced effort to not let not South Sudan the opportunity to upset them after South Sudan only lost by one point in a near historic upset over the Americans in an exhibition on July 20.

Team USA went with a new starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, it was their bench unit of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo and Tyrese Haliburton who stood out the most. Joel Embiid did not play.

The U.S. led South Sudan 66-14 in bench scoring, as Adebayo had a team-high 18 points after starting a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor and also had seven rebounds and two blocks. Durant was second on the team with 14 points and also had three assists and three steals, while Edwards contributed 13 points and three steals and White went a perfect 3-for-3 from the field for 10 points and three steals.

James continued to showcase he is still among the best of the best at 39 years old with 12 points (5-of-9 shooting), seven rebounds and five assists. Booker had a team-high six assists and also recorded 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Curry struggled with only three points on 1-of-9 shooting, while Tatum had four points (2-of-4 shooting) and five rebounds in his first Olympic start after not playing last game. Davis dominated the paint, as we have seen game in and game out for Team USA, finishing with eight points (4-of-7 shooting), seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The Americans shot 37-for-50 (53%) from the floor and 13-for-30 (43%) from 3 as a team. After only five turnovers in the first half, the U.S. had 10 in the second half, but did force 19 on South Sudan for the entirety of the game and recorded an incredible 29 assists on their 37 made shots, showcasing great ball movement throughout the game.

South Sudan was led by Nuni Omot, who had 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Carlik Jones, who had a triple-double against the U.S. in the exhibition game, had 18 points on 8-of-19 shooting, seven assists and three rebounds. Bul Kuol pitched in a nice performance of 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

South Sudan outrebounded the U.S. 41-36 and shot 32-for-76 (42%) from the field and 11-for-29 (38%) from 3. They fall to 1-1 and will play Serbia to close out group play Saturday.

Game Flow

Team USA began the game on a quick 6-0 run, scoring all six points in the first minute of the game. After this hot start, South Sudan held the U.S. scoreless for over three minutes and went on a 7-0 run of heir own. After the game was tied at 10, foul trouble for South Sudan allowed the U.S. to get in the bonus early and finish out the quarter strong with their bench. The Americans led 26-14 after the first quarter, led by James with eight points and Durant with six, all from the free-throw line. The U.S. shot 7-for-10 from the free throw line as a team, while South Sudan had zero free-throw attempts.

The U.S. extended this lead to 33-14 to open the second quarter, looking very sound and locked in on both sides of the ball. The Americans kept this lead around 15-20 for the remainder of the period, as Adebayo went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 14 points. The U.S. was up 55-36 at halftime, as the Americans led the bench scoring 40-5 and forced nine South Sudan turnovers compared to only five of their own.

The U.S. did not keep up this clean style of play to start the second half with two turnovers on their first two possessions. After the United States was up 60-41 with 7:12 to go in the quarter, South Sudan went on a 8-0 run, as turnovers continued to pile up for the Americans. Team USA did not let South Sudan closer than 11 points the rest of the quarter, playing a much cleaner brand of basketball offensively and aggressively on defense. The U.S. took a 73-57 lead into the fourth quarter. Adebayo (16 points), Durant (11 points) and White (10 points) all were in double-figures off the U.S. bench.

South Sudan scored nine points in under two minutes to start the fourth, suddenly making it an 11-point game with 8:14 left. However, the U.S. would once again not let them get within single digits, using a lineup of Curry, Booker, James, Durant and Davis to extend the lead to as much as 19 before Curry and Durant checked out with 5:19 to go. The U.S. grew their lead to as much as 22, but South Sudan did not fold because point differential matters heading out of group play. The Americans still ended with a 103-86 win, as Edwards scored five points in the final minute.

Next Up

Team USA will next play on Saturday against Puerto Rico at 8:15 a.m. MST, their final Group C game. Puerto Rico is 0-2 after losing to Serbia today.

Devin Booker remains in Team USA’s new starting lineup against South Sudan

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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