The US got here from 16 factors right down to keep away from one of many largest shocks in basketball historical past in a dramatic 101-100 victory over South Sudan in London.
South Sudan led 58-42 within the second quarter earlier than taking a 14-point lead into the break in an Olympics warm-up sport on the O2 Area.
The USA went on a 16-0 run to finish the third quarter with a five-point lead however South Sudan battled again to go one level forward with 20 seconds remaining.
LeBron James hit an important lay-up to place his facet forward by one level with eight seconds to go, and South Sudan couldn’t hit a late winner.
The USA are focusing on a fifth consecutive males’s basketball gold medal at this summer season’s Olympics in Paris, whereas South Sudan, ranked thirty third on this planet, will play of their first Video games.
The 12-man USA roster is full of among the NBA’s biggest abilities, whereas solely 4 of the South Sudan workforce have performed an NBA sport.
However they outplayed the world primary facet within the first half, hitting 61% of their photographs, whereas the USA solely made one three-pointer.
Marial Shayok scored a game-high 25 factors for South Sudan and Charlotte Hornets ahead JT Thor hit a three-pointer to place his facet 100-99 forward late on.