Workforce USA practically suffered an unfathomable defeat in its exhibition recreation in opposition to South Sudan on Saturday night time, and Anthony Edwards had a quite simple clarification for the way it was averted.
After trailing by as many as 16 factors, Workforce USA got here again to beat South Sudan 101-100 at O2 Enviornment in London, England. After the sport, Anthony Edwards was requested how the American crew managed to tug it collectively down the stretch. The Minnesota Timberwolves star credited one particular person: LeBron James.
James scored 25 factors and helped gasoline a 23-5 run within the second half that was desperately wanted. His layup with eight seconds left was the game-winning basket for Workforce USA.
South Sudan has by no means had a basketball crew within the Olympics previous to this 12 months. It has a number of gamers with NBA connections, together with level guard Carlik Jones. The 2022-23 G League Participant of the 12 months had a triple double on Saturday with 15 factors, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Marial Shayok, a 2019 second-round decide of the Philadelphia 76ers, led South Sudan with 24 factors.
What was imagined to be an unlimited mismatch turned out to be something however, and James was fast to present South Sudan credit score.
“Don’t take nothing away from South Sudan,” he stated. “They performed extraordinarily good basketball and that’s why the sport is received in between the strains and never all on paper.”
Had it not been for James taking on within the second half, Saturday’s exhibition recreation may need became the most important story of the Olympics. James indicated that he believes the close contest will benefit Team USA going ahead.