LeBron James led the U.S. men’s basketball team to a 92-88 victory over World Cup champion Germany in their final exhibition game before the Paris Olympics. James scored the last 11 points for the Americans, securing the win in London on Monday night.
Earlier in the day, James was named the male flagbearer for the U.S. in Friday night’s opening ceremony. He continued his clutch performances, adding to his decisive layup against South Sudan over the weekend. James finished with 20 points, while Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry, and Anthony Edwards contributed 15, 13, and 11 points, respectively.
Tight Contest Against Germany
Franz Wagner led Germany with 18 points, and Andreas Obst, Dennis Schroder, Daniel Theis, and Moritz Wagner added significant contributions. Despite Germany’s lead with four minutes left, James outscored them 11-6 in the final stretch, demonstrating his leadership and composure under pressure.
Exhibition Slate Review
The U.S. completed their exhibition series with a perfect 5-0 record, facing challenges from Canada, Australia, South Sudan, and Germany. The Americans struggled with three-point shooting, getting outscored by 21 points from beyond the arc in their last two games. Turnovers also posed a problem, with the U.S. committing 14 to Germany’s seven.
Preparing for Paris
With their first Olympic game against Serbia on Sunday, the U.S. team is gearing up for the real competition. Despite missing Kevin Durant due to a calf strain, the team is focused and ready. Durant has practiced but hasn’t played in the pre-Olympic games, aiming to recover fully for the Olympics.
Curry’s Perspective
Reflecting on their preparations, Curry emphasized the importance of performing when it matters most. “We’ve had every experience. Now it’s obviously a matter of showing up when the lights are bright next week. I think we’re ready. I think we’re prepared. Now we have to perform.”
