Photo: Len Werle/OpenCourt-Basketball
In a thrilling exhibition match held in London, Team USA narrowly defeated Team Germany with a final score of 92-88. The game, which served as a warm-up for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, was marked by a dramatic late-game surge from LeBron James, who once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The game was a nail-biter from start to finish. Germany, led by NBA talents Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder, put up a formidable fight. They held an 82-81 lead with under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, putting immense pressure on the American squad.
Just when it seemed like Germany might pull off an upset, LeBron James took control. The 39-year-old veteran scored the United States’ last 11 points, going 4-for-4 from the field in the final minutes. His performance included a crucial three-pointer that extended the lead from one to four points with just over a minute remaining. James finished the game with a team-high 20 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
While James was the standout performer, it was a team effort that secured the victory. Five other U.S. players scored in double figures, including Joel Embiid with 15 points and Stephen Curry with 13. The United States shot an impressive 49.28% from the field, compared to Germany’s 35.8%.
Germany, who beat Team USA in last year’s World Championships, also proved to almost be a stepping stone for the newly assembled and star studded American team. Did LeBron and his teammates use Germany’s win from last year as extra motivation? I had the chance to talk to LeBron about this post-game, where he said that he is always appreciative of a good test.
Len Werle: “Even though it’s a different Team USA now, was there still some kind of extra motivation to beat the Germans, who beat Team USA in last time in the World Championships?”
LeBron James: “I mean, it’s extra motivation for us to hold each other to a standard. We already knew they was going to give us a test, and we was gonna test them as well. This is a team that’s been together for a few years now, we saw what they did last year during the World Championships, so it was good to see us have some competition. We love that… to compete, when every possession counts. It’s good to get that W.”
Extra Motivation against the team that beat Team USA in the World Championships? @KingJames loves the competition. #teamus #usager @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/9EcsnuYKmG
— Len Werle (@RealLennyCarlos) July 22, 2024
This victory capped off a perfect 5-0 exhibition tour for Team USA, providing a confidence boost as they head into the Olympic Games. Their next challenge will be against Serbia in the group stage on July 28.
LeBron James’ clutch performance not only secured the win but also reminded everyone why he remains a pivotal figure in basketball, even at the age of 39. As Team USA prepares for the Olympics, fans can look forward to more thrilling performances from James and his teammates.
