Team USA barely survived an edge-of-the-seat thriller against South Sudan. After a blowout win over Nikola Jokić’s Serbia, the hoops community expected the US team to dominate the world. But the East African team came in as a surprise package. If not for LeBron James’ clutch play at the end, the team would’ve definitely felt embarrassed. Turns out, that ended up happening regardless.

Following the game, head coach Steve Kerr revealed the mood in the locker room, along with a crucial King James update. Except for LeBron, everyone on the team had an underwhelming night. Not to take away any credit from South Sudan – the team controlled the game throughout, having led for more than half the duration. At one point in the first half, they even had a 16-point lead! To think that South Sudan was just that two-pointer away from winning the game at the buzzer is remarkable in itself. But so was Team USA’s comeback in the second half.

Heading into the third quarter, they were down 14 points. But they pulled off an 18-0 run (which LeBron played a major role in) to convert a 65-76 deficit into a 79-76 lead following a 35ft three by Stephen Curry. Speaking about LeBron and the team’s mood at halftime, Steve Kerr said in the post-game press conference, “He’s just got such an incredible competitive spirit and confidence in the clutch. I think the whole team was embarrassed at halftime to be totally outplayed and down 14.” The superstar recorded a game-high 25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and shot at 71.4% FG.

However, what mattered the most was the clutch-driving layup from the LA Lakers superstar. With 20 seconds left in the game, South Sudan’s JT Thor sunk a three-pointer to go up 100-99. But that was where the 20-time NBA All-Star came in. With the ball in his hand, LeBron James ran down the lane and dropped a layup against the two Sudanese defenders. This gave 8 seconds for the team to defend the new one-point lead, and eventually, Team USA took home a clutch win.

The thing is, it wouldn’t have been possible without that 18-0 run. And considering how crucial James was to it, you would think he played throughout the second half. But that wasn’t the case. He didn’t start the third quarter despite being arguably the most effective player on the Team USA roster at that point. So, there seemed to be a slight misunderstanding between him and Steve Kerr amid the intense match-up. Referring to this, the head coach admitted, “I don’t think he was really thrilled about me not starting him the third quarter but I thought that next group we put out there really did a good job defensively.”

With Derrick White, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo on the floor, it looked like the 39-year-old was desperate to join them. “I looked down a couple of times, and I could see LeBron chomping at the bit to be out on the floor,” Kerr added. “As soon as he got out there, he went to work. He was brilliant.”

As Team USA eked out the 101-100 win, it brought one thing to light. And Steve Kerr couldn’t help but acknowledge it. “[It was] a good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives. We have to expect everyone to play like that… The game has gotten better across the globe.” The South Sudan team will be competing at the Olympics for the first time this year, and they put up a mega front against the four-time defending gold medalists. That said, while Kerr must’ve been sweating it out on the sidelines, worrying about the outcome, LeBron James enjoyed the competition.

He said, “I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts. At least we get tested.” Well, considering this, it’s safe to say he and the team are looking forward to a rematch on July 31 in group play. But this time, it won’t be an exhibition game. It’ll be the real deal. As both sides eagerly await that match-up, there’s no doubt Steve Kerr and his roster will look back at this July 20 game, analyzing what went wrong and how they got themselves out of it.

How did LeBron James & Co. pull off the win?

Just like the game against Team Serbia, the US team had a slow start and finished the first quarter with a 2-point deficit. The Sudanese team, following that, didn’t catch a break and went right into the business. Team USA’s offense didn’t really move the needle in the second quarter. Meanwhile, South Sudan pressed the gas pedal and recorded a 14-point lead at halftime.

While everyone expected Kerr to land his best unit in the opening minute of the third quarter, he relied on his second unit. He started the second half with Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum. This unit ultimately put a speed breaker on Sudan’s offense and began to cut down the lead, outscoring their opponents 37-18 in the third.

LeBron James, who was raring to go, clocked in with less than 5 minutes remaining in the quarter with an 8-point deficit. And by the end of the third quarter, the team had a five-point lead. The superstar recorded six points and four assists in his cameo appearance and helped the team have an advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

That final quarter was more or less a cat-and-mouse chase between both, and Team USA came out on top, thanks to LeBron James. What do you make of the clutch game? Will Team USA continue their winning streak? Let us know in the comments below.