LeBron James Sends Clear Message After Hitting Game-Winner vs. South Sudan

Team USA appeared to be on its way to a relatively comfortable victory in the early portion of Saturday's exhibition game against South Sudan in London.

Quickly taking a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, things changed rather fast for Team USA as their once 10-point lead became a two-point deficit heading into the second quarter. By halftime, South Sudan had taken a 58-44 lead.

Down by as many as 16 points, Team USA got back on track with a 23-5 run late in the third quarter and took a slim lead into the fourth. However, with just 20 seconds remaining, Team USA found itself down by one point and needed a basket to avoid the major upset.

LeBron James seemingly took that personally.

With just eight seconds left in the game, James converted a layup that gave Team USA a 101-100 lead. After missed shots on the ensuing possession, Team USA officially survived the scare.

After the game, cameras captured James' immediate reaction to the close call against South Sudan.

It's safe to say that LeBron appreciated the test ahead of the upcoming Olympics.

“I like being tested," James said after hitting the game-winner. "Those are the best ones."

James finished with a team-high 25 points in Saturday's exhibition, which was Team USA's fourth in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The team will take on Germany on Monday before departing for France.

Team USA will begin Group Stage at the Olympics on July 28 with a matchup against Serbia.

Then, they'll take on South Sudan on July 31 before closing out Group C action against Puerto Rico on Aug. 3.

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