Team USA made sure to score a definitive win this time.
After a thrilling matchup during the USA Basketball Showcase, the top-ranked Americans allowed so such drama in the Olympic proper, smashing South Sudan 103-86 in Paris 2024 Thursday (Philippine time).
Featuring a new starting lineup, mainly inserting Anthony Davis for Joel Embiid at center, Team USA zoomed to a 6-0 start.
South Sudan responded with a 10-2 run to briefly take the lead, but the Americans quickly restored order as Kevin Durant made a living out of the foul line early in the contest.
It was a balanced effort for Team USA the rest of the way, with seven players scoring at least eight points.
Team USA led by as many as 22 points, and at 2-0 in Pool C, the reigning four-time Olympic champions are through to the quarterfinals.
Bam Adebayo was the high man for Team USA, finishing with 18 points off the bench. The Miami Heat star also added seven rebounds and two blocks in a strong effort.
LeBron James went from 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. By scoring his 6th point of the game, LeBron joined contemporaries Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony as the only USA men's basketball players to score over 300 points in the Olympic Games.
KD (14 points), Anthony Edwards (13 points), Derrick White (10 points), and Devin Booker (10 points) also finished in double figures for Team USA.
Nuni Omot led South Sudan with 24 points. The loss now puts the Bright Stars on a collision course with Nikola Jokic and Serbia, with the winner taking the last automatic playoff spot from Pool C.
