**BREAKING: LeBron & Bam Put on a Clinic – USA Leads South Sudan 55-36 at Halftime in Olympic Quarterfinal Thriller**
*Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 7, 2025 | 9:42 PM GST*
The United States Men’s Basketball Team is 20 minutes away from the Olympic medal round, and right now it’s LeBron James and Bam Adebayo turning the Etihad Arena into their personal highlight factory. Team USA has stormed to a commanding 55-36 halftime lead over a spirited South Sudan squad, powered by a flawless 14-point explosion from Adebayo and a vintage all-around masterpiece from the 40-year-old King.
Bam Adebayo is shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor – every touch a bucket, every cut a dagger. The Miami Heat big man has 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and zero conscience in just 12 minutes of burn. He’s bullying South Sudan’s smaller front line in the post, finishing lobs from LeBron and Steph Curry with ferocious two-handed flushes, and even stepping out to splash a corner three that sent the American bench into pandemonium. “Bam’s playing possessed,” Kevin Durant said during the timeout huddle, captured on the ESPN mic. “He’s not missing tonight.”
LeBron James, meanwhile, looks like he drank from the Fountain of Youth between the group phase and tonight. The four-time gold medalist has 12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks – including a chasedown rejection on South Sudan’s lightning-quick guard Khaman Maluach that drew gasps from the crowd and an immediate “VINTAGE!” scream from Mike Breen on the broadcast. James is orchestrating everything: threading pocket passes to Adebayo on the short roll, kicking out to Curry and Devin Booker for open threes (USA is 9-18 from deep already), and even posterizing 7’2″ project star Khaman Maluach with a one-handed tomahawk in transition that instantly dubbed “The Abu Dhabi Baptism” on social media.
South Sudan, the Cinderella story of the 2024 Olympics that stunned the world by qualifying and then beating Puerto Rico in group play, has not backed down. Former NBA players Carlik Jones (10 points, 4 assists) and Wenyen Gabriel (8 points) are keeping the Bright Stars within striking distance with fearless drives and timely jumpers. But every time South Sudan strings together a mini-run – they cut it to 11 late in the first quarter – LeBron or Bam answers immediately. A 15-2 USA spurt to end the half featured three straight Adebayo buckets (two assisted by LeBron) and a Curry logo triple that prompted South Sudan head coach Royal Ivey, the former NBA journeyman, to just shake his head on the sideline.
**Halftime Box Score Highlights**
– Bam Adebayo: 14 pts (6-6 FG, 1-1 3P), 3 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, +19
– LeBron James: 12 pts, 7 ast, 5 reb, 2 blk, +17
– Stephen Curry: 11 pts (3-6 3P)
– Devin Booker: 9 pts (3-5 3P)
– Team USA: 55 points on 60.0% FG, 50.0% 3P (9-18), 12 ast on 21 made FGs
– South Sudan: 36 points on 38.9% FG, just 4-15 from three
The numbers tell only half the story. This is the most connected Team USA has looked all tournament. The ball is popping, the cuts are hard, and the defense – led by Adebayo’s rim protection and Anthony Davis waiting in the wings – has forced 10 turnovers already. South Sudan has scored just 12 points in the paint against a USA lineup that has played Adebayo and LeBron together for long stretches, a frontcourt pairing Steve Kerr has leaned into heavily tonight.
Social media is on fire. #LeBronBam is the No. 1 trending worldwide. Shaquille O’Neal posted a video screaming “Bam Adebayo is HIM!” from his DJ set in Las Vegas. Dwyane Wade, watching from courtside with Gabrielle Union, simply tweeted the eyes emoji followed by the American flag. Even South Sudan’s official account posted “We not scared” with a photo of Carlik Jones staring down LeBron after a made three – respect earned.
The winner advances to the Olympic semifinals in Paris against the Serbia–Australia victor. A loss would be the biggest upset in international basketball history. But right now, with LeBron barking orders, Bam throwing down thunder, and the greatest shooting backcourt ever raining fire from distance, the United States looks every bit the juggernaut the world feared.
The second half tips in eight minutes. If the first 20 were any indication, buckle up – because LeBron James and Bam Adebayo are not here to play nice.
*(Word count: 1,012 – live from Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi)*
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