USA Set for Crucial Group-stage Clash Against South Sudan
As the United States men's basketball team heads into their second group-stage game on Wednesday, all eyes are on their match-up against South Sudan. With tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, the stakes are high. Both teams are coming off strong starts in the tournament, with Team USA securing a victory over Serbia, and South Sudan triumphing against Puerto Rico.
Victory on Wednesday will guarantee a spot in the quarterfinals, making this encounter more than just a group-stage game. The Olympic basketball format is stringent; 12 teams are divided into three groups of four, each engaging in a round-robin schedule. Teams earn two points per win and one per loss, and tiebreakers are decided by head-to-head results. The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals, transitioning into a single-elimination knockout tournament. Total score differentials are also used to break ties for the wild card spots among teams from different groups.
Team USA's roster is star-studded, led by Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, and Joel Embiid, who all featured in the starting lineup against Serbia. Kevin Durant led the charge against Serbia with 23 points. However, Stephen Curry had a relatively quiet game, contributing just six points from two three-pointers. Curry's shooting form has been under scrutiny, as he shot 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc, in the last three games.
South Sudan's squad has shown remarkable chemistry and talent, featuring players like Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones. In the exhibition game against the United States, LeBron James had to make a last-second shot to eke out a 101-100 victory. South Sudan's roster was formidable in that game, with Carlik Jones notching a triple-double, Marial Shayok scoring 24 points with six three-pointers, and Wenyen Gabriel adding three three-pointers of his own.
Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft, adds another layer of intrigue and talent to the South Sudanese side. Carlik Jones was particularly impressive in their win against Puerto Rico, where he scored 19 points, dished out six assists, and grabbed seven rebounds.
Head coach Steve Kerr is acutely aware of the threat South Sudan poses. "They came within one shot of beating us," Kerr said, reflecting on the exhibition game. He also confessed to regretting his decision to bench Jayson Tatum against Serbia. "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener," Kerr admitted.
The respect and caution towards South Sudan are echoed by Stephen Curry. "We have appropriate fear. We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win," Curry noted. He further analyzed the opponent, stating: "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."
Kerr also emphasized the importance of having played South Sudan earlier. "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," he said. This previous encounter provides valuable insights into their strategies and playstyle, which the U.S. team hopes to leverage.
As the clock ticks down to the tip-off, the anticipation and excitement are palpable. The stakes are clear – one team will secure a quarterfinal berth, and the other will face a harder path forward. With both teams showcasing star players and high-caliber dynamics, this match promises to be a thrilling spectacle in the Olympic basketball tournament.