Lakers News: Anthony Davis, LeBron James Lead Team USA to Comeback Win vs South Sudan

The Lakers All-Stars had a night to remember in London.

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Anthony Davis (14) catches a pass against Canada in the third quarter in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports | Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis came to the rescue when USA Basketball fell into a 16-point hole midway through an unexpectedly chippy exhibition matchup against Team South Sudan on Saturday in London.

James put on a scoring clinic in the contest's second half, including scoring this game-winning lefty layup on a drive with eight seconds remaining in regulation:

Open shot, the fate of the universe on the line, the Martians have the death beam pointed at earth, you better hit it.

🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/5hgoQ8iAl4

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 20, 2024

All told, James scored 25 points, pulled down seven rebounds and dished out six assists. Part of that output also included being the spark behind a 23-5 Team USA run from late in the third period (closed out with a 16-0 run) through early into the fourth quarter.

Davis, meanwhile, helped lead a ferocious comeback in the third quarter, alongside fellow All-Defensive center Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. The duo helped mitigate the worst impacts of ex-Lakers center Wenyen Gabriel and anticipated 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach, a 17-year-old poised to play at Duke next summer.

Davis notched a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double, and continued to make a pretty clear case that he deserves to start at center over Joel Embiid, who once again looked horrific defensively, though he had a decent scoring night, notching 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 shooting from the charity stripe, aong with seven rebounds and three assists.

Next up for Team USA is a bout with Team Germany, the program's final warm-up game, slated for Monday.

Paris is right around the corner. After barely surviving South Sudan to win 101-100 at the last possible second, will Team USA possibly be ready?

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