2024 Paris Olympics Group Phase Day 5: Anthony Edwards, Team USA Defeat South Sudan

Anthony Edwards came off the bench again, notching 13 points along with a team-high three steals to help Team USA earn a 2-0 record.

After their 110-84 win over Nikola Jokić and Serbia on Sunday, Anthony Edwards and Team USA was back in action on Tuesday against South Sudan.

The last time these two teams matched up, South Sudan nearly came away with a massive upset in an exhibition game on July 20th. It took a late basket from LeBron James to take the lead late in the game and secure a 101-100 victory for the United States.

Anthony Edwards would again come off the bench with head coach Steve Kerr electing to go with Devin Booker in the shooting guard spot. There was a shakeup elsewhere in the starting lineup with Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis replacing Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid in the starting rotation.

Edwards joined the game after the first six minutes with Team USA’s first group of subs. The United States would immediately go on a run, growing their lead to 17 over the eight and a half minutes with Edwards on the floor in the first half.

While Edwards only took two shots, making one, he was able to find success setting up teammates playing within the offense, finding Bam Adebayo for two assists. Edwards also played fantastic defense both on and off the ball leading to a team-high two steals in at the halftime break.

In the second half, Ant would find a few more opportunities to score including a five-point flurry in the final minute of the game including a dunk coming off a steal, and a three-pointer for the final points of the game.

Edwards would finish the game with 18 points on 4-9 shooting including two three-pointers and three free-throws finishing as a +18. Ant, along with Kevin Durant and Derrick White, would lead Team USA in steals with three.

The United States would wrap up a convincing 103-86 victory, clinching a spot in the Quarterfinals. A win over Puerto Rico on Saturday would give Team USA a clean sweep of Group C.

It was a balanced attack for the United States in this one as Bam Adebayo would finish as the leading scorer with 18 points including two three-pointers. South Sudan’s Nuni Omit would lead all scorers with 24 points.

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Group Standings After Day Five

Group A

1. Canada (2-0, +17 point differential)
2. Australia (1-1, +2 point differential)
3. Spain (1-1, -5 point differential)
4. Greece (0-2, -14 point differential)

Group B

1. Germany (2-0, +33 point differential)
2. France (2-0, +16 point differential)
3. Japan (0-2, -24 point differential)
4. Brazil (0-2, -25 point differential)

Group C

1. United States (2-0, +43 point differential)
2. Serbia (1-1, 1-0, +15 point differential)
3. South Sudan (1-1, -6 point differential)
4. Puerto Rico (0-2, -52 point differential)

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Looking Ahead

Three Minnesota Timberwolves players will be in action on Friday, August 1. Joe Ingles and Team Australia will go up against Team Greece at 6:30 AM CT, likely needing a win to advance to the Quarterfinals.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Team Canada will take on Team Spain at 10:15 AM CT. Canada has already clinched a spot in the Quarterfinals with a win giving Canada a sweep of Group A.

Rudy Gobert and Team France, who have also secured a spot in the Quarterfinals, will take on Team Germany on Friday, looking to secure a 3-0 record in the group stage. Tip-off is at 2 PM CT. All games are available to stream on Peacock.

Anthony Edwards and Team USA’s next game will come against Team Puerto Rico on Saturday, August 3, at 10:15 AM CT. The game will be available on NBC and streaming on Peacock.