close
close
LA All-Stars, Team USA Narrowly Survive Olympic Warm-Up Against Germany

LA All-Stars, Team USA Narrowly Survive Olympic Warm-Up Against Germany

Los Angeles Lakers combo forward LeBron James may be just a few months away from his 40th birthday, but the 20-time All-NBA superstar has emerged as Team USA’s steadfast leader in the final game as he competes for his third Olympic gold medal and fourth overall. He won bronze following his rookie season in 2004, but we shouldn’t hold that against him so much as we hold Larry Brown against him.

During Team USA’s final warmup game before the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, an exhibition matchup against old friend Dennis Schroder and the rest of a fairly strong Team Germany at the O2 Arena in London on Monday, James made his presence felt. The four-time league MVP scored a Team USA-best 20 points while shooting 8-of-11 from the field (2-of-2 from the 3-point line) and 2-of-4 from the free throw line, while also contributing five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

The Americans won, narrowly, 92-88. It was their second consecutive ultra-competitive matchup, following a tough 101-100 victory over Team South Sudan on Saturday. However, a much tougher opponent is Team Germany, who won gold at last year’s FIBA ​​World Cup. Schroder will be joined by other strong NBA prospects Franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic, as well as New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis.

Late in the game, with everything on the line, James contributed some surprisingly solid defense, including a clutch 3-pointer to extend Team USA’s lead beyond one possession and essentially seal the game late in the game.

For good measure, James rode through Team Germany’s trees for a tough lay-in at the end. Here’s that ride:

All in all, James scored 11 of his points in the fourth period.

His Lakers colleague, All-NBA center Anthony Davis, scored 10 points, often in the paint, while shooting 3 of 5 from long range and 4 of 4 from the free throw line, grabbing seven rebounds, throwing two dimes, making one steal and blocking one shot.

Team USA concludes its warm-up phase with a 5-0 score in the exhibition game. It will open its competitive output on Sunday, against NBA MVP Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and the rest of Team Serbia.

More Lakers: Rui Hachimura Dominates for Team Japan in Olympic Exhibition Game