The excitement is building as the United States men's basketball team gears up to face South Sudan in their second group-stage game on Wednesday. Scheduled to tip-off at 3 p.m. ET, the game promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams coming off crucial wins in their openers.
Team USA emerged victorious in their first game against Serbia, a matchup that saw Kevin Durant scoring 23 points and Stephen Curry contributing six points from a pair of three-pointers. Despite the win, Team USA's head coach Steve Kerr expressed some regrets, stating, "I felt like an idiot for not playing Tatum a single second in the opener."
South Sudan's Rising Challenge
South Sudan also secured an opening victory against Puerto Rico, buoyed by an all-around performance from Carlik Jones, who racked up 19 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. Their roster, which includes notable talents such as Wenyen Gabriel, JT Thor, Marial Shayok, and Carlik Jones, is brimming with potential. Adding to their arsenal is Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 freshman at Duke and a projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Jones showcased his skills in the exhibition game against the United States by posting a triple-double, along with Shayok, who scored 24 points, including six three-pointers. Wenyen Gabriel also impressed, making three three-pointers in that exhibition match.
High Stakes and High Expectations
With both teams eyeing a spot in the quarterfinals, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Olympic format includes 12 teams divided into three groups of four, with each group partaking in a round-robin schedule. Teams earn two points per win and one per loss in the group stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the top two third-place teams, advance to the quarterfinals, which transition into a single-elimination knockout tournament.
The implication of such a high-stakes match is not lost on Stephen Curry. "We have appropriate fear," Curry said. "We know we can't just sleepwalk through any game and feel like you're going to win."
Learning from the Past
The United States recently had a close call in their exhibition game against South Sudan, narrowly clinching a win with LeBron James making a last-second shot for a 101-100 victory. Reflecting on that game, Kerr noted, "They came within one shot of beating us." He added, "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."
South Sudan's fast-paced style and offensive prowess make them a formidable opponent. "They're a very high-octane offense," Curry said. "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."
Key Performers to Watch
For Team USA, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry remain pivotal figures. Durant's scoring ability and Curry's sharpshooting will be crucial. Curry has shot 12 for 31, including 7 for 23 from beyond the arc, in the last three games. Meanwhile, South Sudan will rely on the versatile play of Carlik Jones and the shooting of Marial Shayok, who demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure in the exhibition game.
The balance of experience and youthful exuberance on both rosters sets the stage for a compelling showdown. With a spot in the quarterfinals on the line, Wednesday's game is more than just a contest—it's a proving ground for both teams to assert their place among the elite.
As the clock ticks down to tip-off, anticipation builds. Both teams are acutely aware that every possession, every defensive stop, and every shot could be the difference-maker. The battlefield is set, and basketball fans around the world are eagerly awaiting to see who will rise to the occasion.