USA vs South Sudan 103-86: Paris Olympics 2024 basketball – as it happened

USA continue their steadfast march towards a 17th men’s basketball gold medal with a 103-86 win over South Sudan.

South Sudan showed the hallmarks of the team which ran USA close during the July 20 pre-tournament friendly meeting in Abu Dhabi, but were just unable to deal with the intense defence inside.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this matchup, and do make sure to join us again as we continue to cover the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

On behalf of Andrew Semple, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Keep up to date: You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated Paris 2024 Olympics tournament page with all the news and features as well as event build-up and live text commentary on selected football, basketball, tennis and boxing fixtures. Stay informed with real-time updates from Paris 2024 with our Olympics events calendar, medal table and results pages.

Durant, who chipped in with 14 points, had this to say after the game: “You’ve got guys from all ages in the league that [have] accomplished so much.

“They’re all unselfish players who want the best for the team,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to continue to prove ourselves because other teams I’ve been on, we won the gold, but as far as talent and what we look like on paper, it’s probably the best team I’ve played on.

“I think [with] a team like this, we need to put our foot on the gas for 40 minutes straight,” the three-time gold medallist added.

10 minutes to go. How we feeling, America?

📺 @USANetwork + @peacock

🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/vNXV24gm0H

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 31, 2024

USA will now round out their Group C fixtures against Puerto Rico on August 3.

It should be a dawdle based on their superlative performances so far against stronger sides in Serbia and South Sudan.

South Sudan will face Serbia on the same day, which will be an important decider as to which of the two will progress to the next stage based on the current standings.

🤝 Another great battle with USA! pic.twitter.com/74oFZGtAQD

— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) July 31, 2024

USA solidify their position at the top of Group C with four points after this comprehensive victory over South Sudan.

Serbia are in second spot with three points after their 107-66 rout against Puerto Rico.

South Sudan move down to the third spot with three points due to a points differential, while Puerto Rico inhabit the bottom with two points.

Ant with the exclamation mark.

🇺🇸 #USABMNT #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/r9YhMEqv0V

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 31, 2024

After Adebayo led the way in the first half, the rest of the stars showed up in a big way in the second half to secure USA’s spot at the top of the Group C standings.

The Miami Heat centre finishes with 18 points on 8-10 shooting, which includes 2-3 from deep.

Durant (14), Edwards (13) and James (12) round out the rest of the scorers for USA.

Omot was the star of the show for South Sudan, finishing with an impressive 24 points on 8-12 shooting.

Jones (18) and Kuol (16) provided excellent supporting hands, but it was always going to be tough work against this USA Dream Team.

2-0 & top of Group C!

🇺🇸 #USABMNT x #Paris2024 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/G3TWrRhm5r

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 31, 2024

Adebayo lands the right-hand hook shot inside.

Edwards gets a steal and drives unencumbered to the basket for a powerful finish.

Jones then hits a three, before Edwards responds in kind right after.

South Sudan just fell behind the clock with their final shot to give USA another victory.

Jones drives for another successful layup.

Adebayo is stripped after collecting the wrap-around pass from Holiday in the paint.

Omot scores to bring the lead down to 16.

Edwards misses from close range as we enter the final minute.

Omot is fouled while going inside and gets the bucket and the and-one.

He sinks the chance to make it a 13-point game.

Tatum finishes strongly inside as South Sudan decide to call a timeout with the lead now 20 points.

USA are well on their way to going to the top of the rankings, and potentially scoring another 100-points plus as well to put the cherry on top.

Shayok is unable to finish the attempted drive to the hoop.

Adebayo lights up from the left corner, but misses the chance.

Jones finds Omot down court, who finishes with style.

James collects the defensive rebound, finding Holiday, but he misses a three from the left arc.

Shayok is called for an offensive foul on Holiday while driving to the basket.

Holiday hits a corner three from the right side.

Davis blocks Thor, but Thor collects the offensive board and then finds space to get off a layup with his left hand.

Booker spots up from the top of the key, and sinks it.

Davis feeds a rampaging James, who finishes with reckless abandon above the rim.

Jones goes up from the top of the arc, but clangs it.

Holiday and White check in for Durant and Curry.

Omot converts both free throws to make it a 15-point game.

Thor goes to the basket and ends it with a dunk.

USA are unable to convert at the other end, with Omot being fouled by Curry as he went inside for an attempted drive.

Before he can take his free throws, USA decide to call a timeout.

High defensive pressure from the USA result in another shot clock violation as South Sudan just couldn’t get a shot off.

Davis rampages to the basket and finishes with an almighty slam.

South Sudan decide to call a timeout to cool down this USA run.

Durant buries a three from the right arc.

Jones finishes inside once more to keep South Sudan in contention.

Durant make a steal before going to the hoop to finish and get the and-one.

Booker gets the free throw to make it a 17-point game.

Jones is fouled on the way to the basket, making the shot and securing the and-one.

South Sudan now have an opportunity to whittle the lead down to 11, which they do.

There is plenty of animated chatter between Davis, his Los Angeles Lakers’ teammate, James and the official about the decision on that last call.

Jok makes both free throws as Omot takes a breather, and South Sudan get the ball, as well.

Davis is called for an offensive foul on Omot, who looks winded on the court after taking a shot to the sternum.

The medical staff treat him as it looks like he got the wind knocked out of him, but it appears he will continue, much to the crowd’s delight.

There is a review if Davis’s foul should be upgraded to an unsportsmanlike foul.

The final decision is that it is indeed an unsportsmanlike foul, which will result in two free throws and the ball for South Sudan.

Curry goes coast-to-coast, but misses the right-handed layup.

Davis is right behind him to execute the put-back to convert for two points.

Omot is fouled, making both his free throw attempts.

He now has 16 points.

Davis misses an alley-oop attempt from Curry, before Shayok misses from the other end.

James just runs down to the other end like a freight train, with Shayok getting in position to get an offensive foul called on James.

Into the final quarter and South Sudan have a mountain to climb with the present scoreline.

South Sudan inbound to try and get themselves back into this contest.