2024 Olympic basketball: Takeaways from Team USA's win over South Sudan Paris 2024 men’s basketball: Team USA go harder, better, faster, stronger against South Sudan South Sudan coach Royal Ivey knew Wednesday would be different when Team USA changed its starting lineup for the rematch, going with a faster, more athletic lineup that could better deal with the Sudanese speed. That lineup scored the game’s first three buckets and made a statement, and Team USA took its assignment more seriously this time than in the 20 June friendly in London. This game was for real and Team USA felt slightly embarrassed after it needed LeBron James’ late-game heroics to secure a win. This time, there would be no suspense. Team USA led for the final 36 minutes, six seconds and got double-figure scoring from five players in a 103-86 win at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium. USA leads Group C with a 2-0 record and assured itself a trip to Paris for the knockout round and, equally as important, the club exemplified how truly deep it is with Steve Kerr’s various lineups. This time, Jayson Tatum started after not playing Sunday against Serbia. Joel Embiid, a former NBA MVP, was benched. Tyrese Haliburton, out of the rotation for most of the exhibition, made a surprising early appearance and canned two three-pointers. #sportsnews #basketball #usabasketball #basketballedits #basketballcomedy #basketballfans #basket #basketballgame #basketballshorts #basketballtraining #basketballplayer #basketballislife