LeBron James Leads USA to Victory Over Germany

LeBron James led the United States to a 92-88 victory over Germany in their final warm-up match before the Olympic Games, scoring 20 points. At 39 years old, James shone brightly, particularly in the final moments of the game where he contributed 11 points including a crucial three-pointer with just 1:26 remaining to give the USA a 90-86 lead. He then added two more points to secure the win. The match took place at a sold-out O2 Arena in London where Germany had led 71-68 at the end of the third quarter before James’ decisive performance.

Joel Embiid added 15 points and Stephen Curry scored 13 contributing to Team USA’s perfect record in their five pre-Olympic exhibition games. James, who will also serve as a flagbearer for Team USA at the Olympic Games opening ceremony, praised the team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure. The USA is aiming for their fifth consecutive men’s basketball gold medal in Paris and Curry expressed confidence in their preparation but emphasized the need to perform well under the spotlight.

Team USA will start their Olympic campaign against Serbia on July 28, followed by matches against South Sudan on July 31 and Puerto Rico on August 3. Despite winning the exhibition games, Team USA faces challenges including handling turnovers and defensive lapses, as noted by BBC Sport’s Sam Harris. Nevertheless, LeBron James’ performance, particularly his ability to take control in critical moments, demonstrated his continued impact.

His performance against Germany, highlighted by his opening dunk and late-game dominance, underscored his enduring value and skill at 39, solidifying his role as a key player for the US team.