The US delivered another strong showing, beating South Sudan 103-86, leading by double-digits much of the way against a team that nearly upset the Americans in an exhibition game earlier in the month. Coming on the heels of the 110-84 rout of Serbia on Sunday , Team USA is 2-0 in Group C.
Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates as Team USA continues its quest for Olympic gold.
The US beat South Sudan 103-86 on Wednesday, improving to 2-0 and clinching the Americans a spot in the quarterfinals ahead of their final game of group play. Team USA got 66 points from its bench Wednesday.
Bam Adebayo's 18 points led the US, which had six players score in double-figures. Adebayo, who also grabbed seven rebounds, was one of four American players to come off the bench to score double digits, as he was joined by Kevin Durant (14), Derrick White (10) and Anthony Edwards (10). USA starters LeBron James (12) and Devin Booker (10) were the other double-figure scorers. James also had six rebounds, five assists and six turnovers. Anthony Davis added eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
Nuni Omot scored a game-high 24 points to lead South Sudan. Bul Kuol (16), Carlik Jones (15) and Marial Shayok (12) were the team's other double-figure scorers. Jones added seven assists.
The US lead is 94-72 entering the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. LeBron James caught a pass from Lakers teammate Anthony Davis and finished with a dunk to the enjoyment of the crowd before Jrue Holiday finished a nice sequence of passing with a corner 3.
South Sudan pulled to within 77-66 before Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led an American response. Durant buried a 3 from out top and Booker scored on a drive while being fouled, adding the foul shot for a 3-point play. The US leads 87-68 with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter. South Sudan called a timeout down 19 after Anthony Davis dunked to finish a perfect pick-and-roll with Durant. The US has 25 assists on its 30 made field goals.
The Americans take a 73-57 lead into the fourth quarter. The US bench has scored 53 of the team's 73 points through the first three quarters. Bam Adebayo's 16 points lead the US, while Kevin Durant has 11 and Derrick White 10, as all three have led the American second unit. LeBron James has 10 points, the only US starter with more than four points. James did not score in the third.
Nuni Omot's 16 points lead South Sudan and Marial Shayok has 12 points.
The Boston Celtics star is doing more than scoring points off the bench. He also has a team-high six rebounds and two blocks to go with an assist and a steal.
The US leads 60-46 with 6:35 left in the third quarter. The Americans briefly went up 21 points before South Sudan rallied to close the gap and for a US timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the US put a brand new five on the floor.
The US bench, led by Bam Adebayo and Kevin Durant, enjoyed a huge first half and the Americans lead 55-36 at halftime. The US bench totaled 40 points in the first half. Adebayo scored a team-high 14 and Durant has nine at the half. Adebayo shot 6-for-6 from the floor in the half, including making both of his 3-pointers. LeBron James also has 10 points, eight of those coming in the first quarter as the lone starter to get his offensive game going.
The US lead is up to 31-14 less than a minute into the second quarter after a Kevin Durant 3-pointer. South Sudan took timeout. Durant has nine points.
Team USA lead 26-14 after one quarter. The US bench scored the team's final 16 points of the quarter to break away from a 10-10 tie when the subs entered midway through the quarter. Kevin Durant is leading the second unit with six points, with all six of his points coming at the foul line. Derrick White has four points off the bench. LeBron James, who started, has a game-high eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
Kevin Durant, who lit up Serbia in Game 1, entered midway through the first quarter for the US with the score tied 10-10. LeBron James and three other starters took a seat when Durant and the second unit entered. The Americans lead 13-10 with a little over three minutes left in the first quarter. James sat with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting.
A 7-0 South Sudan run has helped it take a 10-8 lead as the game approaches the midpoint of the first quarter. LeBron James has six points for the US on 3-for-3 shooting.
Olympic basketball scores
In the other Group C game Wednesday, Serbia routed Puerto Rico 107-66. Serbia is 1-1, while Puerto Rico is 0-2.
After not playing in the opener, Jayson Tatum was in the starting five for the Americans. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and Stephen Curry were the other four starters.
What time does Team USA basketball play today?
Team USA will take to the court against South Sudan at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 31, in Lille, France. Lille is near the border with Belgium in northeast France.
What channel is Team USA basketball on today?
The game will be televised on USA Network . You can stream the game on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, the NBC app and the NBC Olympics app.
How many Olympic gold medals has LeBron James won?
LeBron James has won two gold medals and one bronze in three previous Olympics. He was among a group of younger players who did not get many minutes in the 2004 Olympics when Team USA lost in the semifinals and settled for a bronze medal. James then became one of the leaders of the Redeem Team, which won gold in 2008, and was again a leader on the 2012 gold medal team.
Believe it or not, this is Steph Curry's first appearance in the Olympics. He is one of two NBA MVPs making their Olympic debut for Team USA. Joel Embiid is the other.
Team USA received a big scare from South Sudan in an exhibition game earlier in the month in London. The Americans trailed by as many as 16 points before starting to rally in the third quarter, taking charge in the fourth quarter and then hanging on for a 101-100 win.
LeBron James scored 23 points to lead Team USA's comeback. Lakers teammate Anthony Davis added a double-double off the bench, with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Carlik Jones and Marial Shayok of South Sudan came up huge in their team's near upset of the Olympic gold medal favorite. Jones posted a triple-double against the Americans with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Shayok, a former 76ers draft pick, scored a game-high 25 points, hitting 6 of 12 3-pointers.
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