LeBron James Leads the Way in Final Minutes
USA Tops Germany – In a thrilling conclusion to their pre-Olympic exhibition tour, the USA Basketball Men’s National Team triumphed over Germany 92-88 on Monday night at London’s O2 Arena. This win secured an unblemished 5-0 record for Team USA as they head into the 2024 Paris Olympics, underscoring their readiness and resilience.
James Named Flagbearer, Shines on the Court
LeBron James, named earlier in the day as the male flagbearer for the American team during Friday’s Opening Ceremony, once again proved his mettle. James scored 11 of his 20 points in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, guiding the U.S. to a hard-fought victory. His performance was reminiscent of his game-saving layup against South Sudan, where he sealed a 101-100 win with just 8 seconds remaining.
Read More: USA Narrowly Escapes South Sudan’s Challenge in London Showdown
“It was a good test for us,” James reflected on the Germany game. “I’m glad we were able to keep our composure and persevere like we did against South Sudan. It was a good win for us.”
A Hard-Fought Battle Against Germany
The game against Germany was a closely contested battle. Franz Wagner led Germany with 18 points, followed by Andreas Obst with 14, Dennis Schroder with 13 points and 10 assists, and Daniel Theis adding another 13 points. The Americans, however, demonstrated their defensive prowess, holding Germany to a 35.8% shooting percentage, including a mere 28.9% from beyond the arc.
Team Effort and Defensive Prowess
Joel Embiid contributed significantly to the U.S. victory, scoring 15 points and providing five assists. Stephen Curry added 13 points, while Anthony Edwards chipped in with 11 points. The U.S. team showcased a balanced offense, shooting 48.3% from the field.
Strong Start and Key Plays
The Americans started strong, ending the first quarter with a 29-19 lead, highlighted by Jrue Holiday’s back-to-back three-pointers and two decisive blocks from Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo. Germany fought back in the second quarter, closing the gap to 42-39 before the U.S. regained momentum, thanks to a key block by Embiid that led to an Anthony Edwards dunk. The U.S. maintained a 48-41 advantage at halftime.
LeBron James Dominates the Fourth Quarter
The third quarter saw intense back-and-forth action, with Germany taking a narrow 71-68 lead into the final 10 minutes. It was here that LeBron James took control, scoring crucial points and making decisive plays. With the U.S. trailing by one, James sliced through the lane for a dunk, putting the U.S. up 83-82. He followed this with a baseline basket and two free throws, extending the lead to 87-82. His final dagger, a three-pointer from the right wing, sealed the game with a 90-86 lead with 1:26 remaining.
“He keeps leveling up,” said U.S. star Stephen Curry. “It’s so impressive and inspiring to see what he’s doing. With this team, it’s going to come down to the last five minutes and who can make enough plays. LeBron did that the whole fourth quarter. It was amazing to watch.”
Preparing for the Olympic Stage
Looking ahead, the U.S. team will now turn their focus to the Olympic stage. They open Group C play against fourth-ranked Serbia on Sunday, followed by matches against South Sudan and Puerto Rico. U.S. Coach Steve Kerr expressed optimism about the team’s progress but acknowledged areas for improvement.
“We’re getting comfortable with rotations and familiar with each other, but we can do a lot of things better,” Kerr said. “Our passing needs to improve, and we have to tighten up our game.”
Concerns Over Key Player Injuries
The health of key players remains a concern, particularly three-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant, who missed all five exhibition games due to a strained calf. Kerr remains hopeful Durant will be ready for the Olympic opener.
Anticipation Builds for Paris
As the team heads to Lille, France, the anticipation and pressure of the Olympics loom large. Stephen Curry summed up the team’s mindset: “We’ve had every experience. Now it’s about showing up when the lights are bright. I think we’re ready. I think we’re prepared. Now we have to perform.”
With their exhibition tour behind them, Team USA’s journey in Paris promises to be an exhilarating test of skill, strategy, and determination.
Team USA Men’s 5×5 Olympic Games Schedule 2024
| Date | Match | Result | Location | Time (GMT+8) |
| July 28 | USA vs. Serbia | TBD | Lille, France | 11:15 pm |
| August 01 | USA vs. South Sudan | TBD | Lille, France | 3:00 am |
| August 03 | USA vs. Puerto Rico | TBD | Lille, France | 11:15 pm |
Review:
Team USA Shines in 1st Olympics Exhibition, 86-72 Edging Out Canada
USA Triumphs Over Australia 98-92 in 2nd Pre-Olympic Warm-Up
USA Dominates Serbia in Abu Dhabi for 3rd Consecutive Win
USA Narrowly Escapes South Sudan’s Challenge in London Showdown
