The United States men's basketball team is set to face South Sudan in their second group-stage game on Wednesday, a match that promises to be crucial for both sides. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, and the stakes couldn't be higher, with the winner securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
U.S. Team on Target
Team USA started their campaign on a high note with a victory against Serbia. Led by an impressive roster that includes Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid, the Americans are looking to build on this momentum. Kevin Durant was particularly notable, contributing 23 points in the opening game.
Despite the win, Stephen Curry highlighted the team's cautious approach. "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win," said Curry. "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."
South Sudan's Strong Start
On the other side of the court, South Sudan also emerged victorious in their opener against Puerto Rico. Carlik Jones was a standout performer, scoring 19 points along with six assists and seven rebounds. The team’s roster is further bolstered by the presence of Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and the towering 7-foot-2 freshman Khaman Maluach, who is a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Reflecting on their previous exhibition game, Steve Kerr noted, "They came within one shot of beating us." The exhibition indeed saw South Sudan come close, with LeBron James making a last-second shot to secure a 101-100 victory for the U.S. team. Marial Shayok and Wenyen Gabriel both showcased their shooting prowess in that game, with Shayok scoring 24 points including six three-pointers, and Gabriel adding three more from beyond the arc.
Quarterfinal Implications
The Olympic format features 12 teams divided into three groups of four, and each team competes in a round-robin schedule. Teams earn two points per win and one per loss. South Sudan and the U.S. are both aiming to capitalize on these group-stage points to advance. The top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place teams, will move on to the quarterfinals, which then transition into a single-elimination knockout tournament.
Tiebreakers in the standings are decided by head-to-head results, and for the wild card spots, overall score differentials come into play. This makes every point critical, especially in a tightly contested group where any lapse can mean the difference between advancing and an early exit.
Adjustments and Strategy
Steve Kerr has already alluded to some strategic adjustments ahead of the match. "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," Kerr remarked. He also expressed regret for not utilizing Jayson Tatum in the opener against Serbia. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," he admitted.
Stephen Curry, who had mixed shooting results in recent games, will likely be a focal point of the U.S. offense. He has shot 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc in the last three games, and scored six points against Serbia from a pair of three-pointers. His performance could be crucial in countering South Sudan’s high-octane offense.
Looking Forward
As both teams gear up for this pivotal encounter, it’s clear that strategies and previous experiences will heavily influence the outcome. For the United States, the challenge lies not just in their own execution but also in being acutely aware of South Sudan's dynamism and shooting capabilities. For South Sudan, the goal will be to harness their recent form and the confidence from nearly toppling the U.S. in the exhibition game.
Wednesday's game is more than just a preliminary round; it’s a battle for momentum, confidence, and a direct path to the quarterfinals. The world will be watching as these two teams clash, each driven by the aspirations and intensity that define Olympic basketball.