The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards turned on the scoring late Wednesday as Team USA defeated South Sudan 103-86 in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, officially advancing to the quarterfinals.
Edwards finished with 13 points off the bench, shooting 4-for-9 from the field and 2-for-4 from deep. He also hit 3-of-4 free throws and had 3 steals, 2 assists and a rebound.
It’s the second game Edwards has come off the bench for Team USA, as head coach Steve Kerr went with Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the starting lineup.
The Americans controlled most of the game, putting on a defensive clinic in the first quarter and only allowing 14 points. Edwards contributed to that, stealing the ball and eventually setting up Miami’s Bam Adebayo for an easy shot.
Anthony Edwards is locked in on defense 🔒 pic.twitter.com/PfAwqmur6S
— Chris (@uhhchrxs) July 31, 2024
At one point, James and Kevin Durant were outscoring South Sudan 31-14 early in the second quarter.
Edwards made sure to create a highlight reel play in the second quarter, dribbling between his legs and showing off his ball-handling while getting a reaction from the crowd. He then found Adebayo in the paint for an easy flush at the rim.
He also hit Adebayo for his other assist in the quarter, drawing defenders to him in the lane before he dished it off to the Miami big man.
Ant to Bam for the slam🔥
Via @usabasketball pic.twitter.com/g1lQhSpyjj
— Heat Clips 🎬 (@Demar305) July 31, 2024
Edwards took a knee to the thigh late in the third quarter, but he shrugged it off and hit a three-point shot a couple of offensive possessions later.
The Timberwolves star ended the Americans’ scoring with a steal and a slam, followed by a three-point shot with 4 seconds left.
Anthony Edwards strips Carlik Jones and slams it home! pic.twitter.com/r39AHi0QQn
— Global Hoops Daily (@worldhoopsfan) July 31, 2024
Anthony Edwards pull up 3 to seal the game 🐜🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/niLU9a9mzq— ANTMuse (@AEMuse5) July 31, 2024
Team USA dominated off the bench, outscoring the entire South Sudan team 40-36 at the half. They finished with 62 points off the bench, compared to South Sudan scoring 12 with the reserves.
Adebayo finished with 18 points and Durant had 14 to lead the Americans. South Sudan’s Nuni Omot finished with 21 points.
Team USA (2-0) sits atop Group C and will take on Puerto Rico (0-2) Saturday at 10:15 a.m. The men’s quarterfinal games will take place on Aug. 6.
July 31, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; United States guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots against South Sudan shooting guard Peter Jok (14) in the second quarter during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
