The basketball court braces for an electrifying showdown as the United States men's basketball team prepares to face off against South Sudan in their second group-stage game on Wednesday, with the tip-off slated for 3 p.m. ET. Both teams enter this confrontation with the wind at their backs, having secured wins in their respective openers. Team USA conquered Serbia, while South Sudan triumphed over Puerto Rico.
High Stakes Await
The anticipation is palpable as the winner of Wednesday’s game will secure a coveted spot in the quarterfinals. The Olympic format mandates a rigorous competition among 12 teams divided into three groups of four. Each group partakes in a round-robin schedule, earning two points per win and one per loss. Tiebreakers for teams locked in the standings are decided by head-to-head results. Once group play concludes, the top two teams from each group, alongside the top two third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals, transitioning into a single-elimination knockout tournament where every game could be the last.
Interestingly, should there be a tie for the wild card spots between teams from opposing groups, total score differentials break the deadlock, further ensuring that every basket counts.
Recent Showdown History
The recent exhibition game between these two squads was a thriller that showcased South Sudan’s potential threat. The United States had to claw back from a 16-point deficit, with LeBron James making a last-second clutch shot to escape with a narrow 101-100 victory. Steve Kerr, USA’s head coach, left the game with a newfound respect for South Sudan, "They came within one shot of beating us," he reflected. Steph Curry echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for vigilance, "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win."
A Look at South Sudan
South Sudan, despite not having any current NBA players, boasts a roster rich with talent and experience. Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones—each with NBA experience—complement the team’s dynamic gameplay. Adding to their arsenal is Khaman Maluach, a towering 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke who is projected as a lottery pick for the 2025 NBA draft. Although Maluach played limited minutes against Puerto Rico, his presence is a significant weapon in South Sudan’s lineup.
Their strategy is clear-cut yet lethal: a fast-paced drive-and-kick game with an array of three-point shooters almost always ready on the court. Carlik Jones proved his mettle by posting a triple-double against the Americans in the exhibition game, and his impressive performance continued with 19 points, six assists, and seven rebounds in the win over Puerto Rico. Shayok’s 24-point effort against the United States in the exhibition, including six three-pointers, alongside Gabriel’s three treys, underscores their offensive prowess.
Team USA's Readiness
With stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid in the starting lineup against Serbia, Team USA is undeniably stacked with talent. Durant’s stellar 23 points on almost perfect shooting showed his readiness for the challenge. However, Curry's recent shooting slump, hitting just 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc over the last three games, raises some concerns. His six points against Serbia came from a pair of three-pointers, and he knows adjustments are necessary, "They're a very high-octane offense, spread the floor, shoot a lot of 3s and have athleticism. So you just got to be mindful of how to guard them. It's totally different than Serbia," Curry noted.
Kerr acknowledged his own mistake in their last outing, admitting, "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener." Moving forward, it’s clear that strategic decisions and player rotations will be crucial to harness the maximum potential of the team’s deep bench.
As the game approaches, players and coaches alike are well aware of the high stakes and the formidable opponent that awaits. Steve Kerr succinctly summed up the sentiment in the USA camp, "I'm really glad that we played them so we can feel their speed and their 3-point shooting ability and feel how good they are." Come Wednesday, all eyes will be on whether the United States can leverage their experience and star power to quash the rising challenge of South Sudan or if David can indeed stun Goliath on basketball’s global stage.