Team USA avoided being on the short end of an upset on Saturday, as they escaped with a 101-100 win after an exhibition game against South Sudan in London.
The Americans probably would have been left dealing with an embarrassing loss if not for the late-game heroics of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who put his squad on his back and delivered a game-winning layup to put Team USA ahead for good.
After the game, Team USA guard and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was asked about what was the biggest reason behind the Americans’ success against South Sudan. His answer was not about any tactic or adjustment Team USA made but was about one man — LeBron James (per Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops).
James did not just show up when it mattered the most for Team USA. He was having a solid performance all game long versus South Sudan, as he led the Americans with 25 points on 10/14 shooting from the field. He also made two of his three 3-point attempts. Even at age 39, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player can still put up elite numbers.
“Don’t take nothing away from South Sudan,” James shared after the game, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. “They played extremely good basketball and that’s why the game is won in between the lines and not all on paper.”
As for Edwards, he also provided spark off the bench with 11 points on 4/11 shooting from the floor.
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