Lebron James helps USA beat Germany in final exhibition

LeBron James came up big down the stretch as the USA held on to beat Germany 92-88 in London in their final warm-up game before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The veteran LA Lakers star proved the game-winner as the Americans came from 82-81 behind with under four minutes to play.

The 39-year-old scored the final 11 points for the US on 4-of-4 shooting and finished with a game-high 20 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.

22-year-old Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner had 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals for a Germany side who were made to pay for missed shots – attempting an incredible 45 three-pointers, which was 28 more than the US, but sinking only 13 of them.

Overall they made just 29 of 81 attempts from the field, only good for a 35.81% clip, whereas the Americans drained 34-69.

James made it five wins from five in showcase play for the US as he drained an open three-pointer from the top of the key with just over a minute to go, after the Germans had pulled back to 87-86.

He then twisted and turned his way to the paint under immense pressure before banking in a layup on the next possession to make it 92-86 with under 45 seconds remaining.

Joel Embiid scored 15 points for the US, Stephen Curry added 13, Anthony Davis had 11 and Anthony Edwards 10.

The result was slightly more convincing than the previous night’s 101-100 win over South Sudan, in which James again spared his nation’s blushes, but there still looks to be work to do before they open their Paris 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday, July 28 (11.15am ET).