Takeaways from the US Olympic team’s 101-100 win over South Sudan in an exhibition game Saturday in London:
At 39, 40 in a row
LeBron James’ layup with 8 seconds left was the game-winner, and the win marked the 40th consecutive time that the Americans have won an international game with the NBA’s all-time scoring leader — at 39, set to become the oldest US men’s basketball Olympian ever — in uniform.
Seems like being in London works for King James. Playing in the same building as he did during the 2012 London Olympics — O2 Arena, which was called North Greenwich Arena during those games a dozen years ago — James came up big down the stretch.
In that gold medal game against Spain in 2012, James hit a game-sealing 3-pointer with about 2 minutes left to cap a season where he won NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, an NBA title with the Miami Heat and Olympic gold.
Respect for South Sudan
South Sudan got this Olympic berth based on its World Cup finish last year. Its national federation is led by former NBA player Luol Deng, and the team is coached by former NBA guard and now Houston assistant coach Royal Ivey.
James gave both men a ton of credit postgame Saturday.
“To have that representation, to have that type of leadership over there, teaching them the right way how to play the game, that’s good. That’s great, actually,” James said. “The game is worldwide. There’s not one place that you don’t see the game being played. I think that’s the beauty of it. The game of basketball brings together so many people.”
Waiting for KD
Kevin Durant was on the floor getting some warmup shots up, but the Americans were again without the three-time Olympic gold medalist.
Durant returned to practice Friday after about three weeks of dealing with a calf strain. It’s possible that he plays in the final US tune-up on Monday against Germany in London. Otherwise, he’ll go into the Olympics not having gotten any true game action since April 28 when his Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Key Number
South Sudan made 14 3-pointers, while the US made seven. The US reserves were 1 for 11 from beyond the arc.
South Sudan nearly beat the US in an Olympic tuneup. Here’s how it happened
https://arab.news/8sckz
South Sudan nearly beat the US in an Olympic tuneup. Here’s how it happened
- South Sudan made 14 3-pointers, while the US made seven. The US reserves were 1 for 11 from beyond the arc
Firing of Ruben Amorim could cost Manchester United $21 million
- Ruben Amorim was fired as head coach on January 5 after just 14 months in the job
MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United’s cost for firing Ruben Amorim could reach £15.9 million ($21.4 million), the Premier League club said in a New York Stock Exchange filing.
Amorim was fired as head coach on Jan. 5 after just 14 months in the job, with the announcement coming shortly after he made provocative comments about his position within United’s hierarchy.
“A charge of £6.3 million for the write off of related intangible assets and a provision of £15.9 million, representing the maximum potential amount of future settlement payments, will be recognized in the statement of profit or (loss) during the second half of the year ending 30 June 2026,” the club wrote of its Amorim-related costs.
The £6.3 million ($8.5 million) is related to the cost of hiring Amorim from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024.
The figure of £15.9 million represents United’s potential maximum owed to Amorim and his coaching staff. The filing didn’t specify but media reports indicate the final figure includes factors such as if, or when, Amorim gets a new job.
The 20-time English champion has hired Michael Carrick on a contract to the end of the season, and the former United player has overseen the team’s rise to fourth place in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace.
