LONDON, England — Team USA’s loaded roster was pushed to the brink against South Sudan at the O2 Arena in London before pulling out a 101-100 victory in the exhibition match. The Americans faced a 16-point deficit at one point, ultimately requiring a 37-point third quarter.

With Kevin Durant still sidelined as he recovers from a calf strain, LeBron James, who totaled 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, provided a dominant second half and a game-winning finish after a drive to the rim to guide the victory. The goal was to use the game to improve ahead of meaningful competition. “Doesn’t matter when it comes to how close the game is,” James told reporters after the victory. “We went out there to get better.”

James was flanked by Anthony Davis, his fellow Los Angeles Lakers superstar teammate, who provided a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Joel Embiid recorded 14 points and seven rebounds. Stephen Curry scored 12 points, and Anthony Edwards added 11. Team USA struggled by shooting 25.0% from deep but thrived when attacking the rim and creating advantages on the offensive boards.

A standout performance led South Sudan from Marial Shayok, who scored a game-high 25 points, including six three-pointers. Carlik Jones recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Other double-figure scoring performances came from JT Thor with 14 points and another 11 from Wenyen Gabriel.

After jumping out to a 10-2 lead, the Americans appeared set to establish the type of performance we’re accustomed to seeing from such a stacked team. However, South Sudan did not allow that to happen and continued to play hard against an increasingly complacent opponent that seemingly let up. For the rest of the first half, the Bright Stars outscored Team USA by a 56-34 margin, establishing a 58-44 halftime advantage.

“They played a wonderful game, and the ending was good for us just to feel that,” Kerr said. “To feel what it’s going to be like in Paris and Lille [is] a good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives, and we have to expect everyone to play like that.”

Deploying a versatile lineup created advantages for South Sudan. The offense could go five out with plenty of speed defensively to counter a Team USA unit still trying to integrate Embiid into the fold. He tends to sag off-shooters defensively to protect the paint and requires post touches that can stagnate an offense, but he struggled to get the ball to an open teammate against double teams without turning it over. The Americans still outscored South Sudan by a 15-point margin with Embiid on the night.

“I did not do a great job preparing our team,” Kerr said. “We did not focus enough on what they’re capable of, and that’s on me. I think that really allowed South Sudan to gain confidence early. … They were great. They played a wonderful game and the ending was good for us, just to feel that, to feel what it’s going to be like in Paris and Lille.”

With 14 made three-pointers while converting a 42.4% clip, South Sudan’s outside shooting set the tone for the game. The team played hard and was ready to swarm around defensively while remaining intent on successfully attacking downhill. It was a performance that impressed Team USA, including James.

“Don’t take nothing away from South Sudan,” James said. “They played extremely good basketball, and that’s why the game is won in between the lines and not all on paper.”

There was a quick and apparent shift from Team USA coming out of halftime, leading to a more focused effort to get back on track. A bold coaching decision to manufacture some motivation sparked it and kick things off well after halftime.

Steve Kerr’s bold move coming out of halftime pushed LeBron James

At halftime, Steve Kerr opted to bench the starters, including LeBron James, in favor of a defensive-oriented lineup. The move immediately sparked the necessary momentum while the starters watched from the sidelines, building motivation to return to action and finish the job.

“I think the whole team was embarrassed at halftime to be totally outplayed and down 14,” Kerr said. “And I don’t think [James] was real thrilled about me not starting him in the third quarter.”

Kerr’s lineup coming out of the break included Derrick White and Edwards in the backcourt, with Jayson Tatum on the wing and a double-big tandem with Davis and Bam Adebayo. The move worked. This group kicked off what became an 18-0 run, which was continued by James leading the starters upon checking back into the game.

“I thought that next group that we put out there really did a good job defensively. And I looked down a couple of times, and I could see LeBron chomping at the bit to be out on the floor. As soon as he got out there, he went to work, so he was brilliant.”

South Sudan weathered the storm by leading 76-65, but the energy shifted quickly. Team USA made a significant push late in the third quarter, with a three-pointer from Devin Booker tying it up at 76-76, followed by Curry converting a go-ahead jumper from deep on the next trip down the flow.

Read More: LeBron James Was Not Happy With Steve Kerr, as Team USA Players Felt “Embarrassed” vs South Sudan

The momentum-shifting run was kicked off by James getting out on the break for a finish and then drawing heavy defensive attention in the middle of the floor before setting up a no-look pass to Jrue Holiday on a cut for an easy finish. The Americans led 81-76 entering the final period after outscoring the opposition 37-18 in the third quarter.

“We do not have a lot of time to continue to not take a step forward,” James said. “It doesn’t matter when it comes to how close the game is and whatnot. Did we get better? I felt like in the first half, we allowed ’em to get comfortable. They started hitting 3s, and then in the second half, we played our style of basketball.”

Despite Team USA’s effort to rally back and take the lead, South Sudan still had a strong position late in the game to win. What unfolded down the stretch displayed James’ importance to this team.

LeBron James’ game-winner thwarted South Sudan’s near victory

For the Bright Stars, an independent nation for only 13 years, the game meant a lot for the continued growth of basketball. Many critical roster members had upbringings in Australia or the United States. They had access to resources that were inaccessible in South Sudan, including indoor basketball courts, as Gabriel mentioned in the Mixed Zone after the game.

“Today, we were able to represent our country with pride, and we put up a good fight and showed the potential of our country,” Gabriel said. “I think it was a proud moment for a lot of people.”

The level of intensity and pride South Sudan’s roster played against Team USA was apparent and created a real chance to pull off a miraculous victory despite entering the game considered heavy underdogs, with one sportsbook even having the Americans as 43.5-point favorites.

While Team USA was up 99-97 late in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer from Thor put South Sudan ahead. He attacked along the sideline, LeBron James not quite guarding him tightly enough to deter a shot attempt, setting up a pivotal make from the corner.

With Curry deployed as a decoy screener off the ball for Davis while Edwards was face-guarded in the weak-side short corner, James had an opportunity to attack in isolation against an on-ball defender shading him left. He took advantage by attacking left before using a right-hand scoop finish before the help defense could arrive. The Americans pulled ahead 101-100.

Being tested in this way is something James relished. “I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts,” he said while walking off the court. “At least we get tested.”

South Sudan had a chance to respond to James’ game-winning finish on the final possession, but Jones missed a floater. Royal Ivey, the head coach of the Bright Stars squad, felt there was a missed foul call in favor of his team on the rebound but emphasized the need to live with the results.

“We got a good shot, we got a rebound, and we got a good look at it,” Ivey recalled. “I’m not a ref, but I thought it was contact when Wenyen Gabriel got the ball, and it was a no-call, but I can’t blame it on the (refs). We play the game, and at the end of the day, we live with the results, and there’s no complaining about it.”

While Team USA avoided a deflating loss, it must review and improve many things before moving on to the next performance.

Team USA must tighten up against Germany before heading to Lille

The final preparation match for Team USA will be against Germany in London, featuring a matchup against last year’s FIBA World Cup winners. In Lille, the Americans will take on Serbia on July 28th to begin the Group Phase, followed by a rematch two days later against South Sudan. A much better effort earlier in the game will be required with the hope that this close call serves as motivation.

While the result of South Sudan nearly achieving an improbable victory naturally is the focus, the focus for Team USA was to use this exhibition game as an opportunity to improve. “It’s basketball. It happens,” Curry said. “You want to play perfect every game; it doesn’t happen. But can you dig deep and do the little things that help you win? Offense can come and go, but defense is the thing that helps you win championships, medals, all that stuff.”

There was a sense of letdown in Team USA’s performance after flying nearly 3,500 miles from Abu Dhabi to London following a convincing victory over a Serbian squad led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić.

“There is a tendency at times to let down; I think the fact that we played well against Serbia the other night, this was kind of a natural letdown game that you fear,” Kerr admitted. “What we’ve learned with USA basketball is that the gap has closed … so it’s not a shock to see a team from South Sudan play really well and knock down 3s.”

Team USA remains confident that as long as the group takes care of what needs to be done regarding approach and habits, there is no fear of losing, regardless of the opponent. Reaching that next level added some confidence to the group by showcasing the next gear the team can hit when urgency is needed.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball. And our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said. “We didn’t make them uncomfortable at all the first half, and they took advantage of it. But we also learned we have that gear if we can find it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes, and it’s a great reminder of both.”

Against more talented teams, Team USA will not be able to get away with easing into the game with a lackadaisical start. Germany will serve as a solid test to gauge the team’s progress. Still, this outcome shouldn’t overlook the prior results the Americans have achieved in the preparation process, with victories over Canada, Australia, and Serbia.