The Opals are playing for Olympic bronze after their last attempt to beat the all-powerful Americans was thwarted in an 85-64 semi-final defeat.
Australia had their moments, but were no match for the physical strength and athleticism of the Americans around the ring. Opals sliding down the tree were a common sight at the Bercy Arena on Friday.
Their head-to-head Olympic record now stands at 0-9 and the U.S. is on a 60-game winning streak as it seeks its eighth straight title on Sunday.
Only twice in that streak, since 1992, have they won by less than 10 points.
The Opals will need to recover quickly for their battle for bronze, which will be the last time that experienced Lauren Jackson plays for her country.
Australia are hoping to send the 43-year-old onto the court with a medal and Jackson said it would mean a lot to her after her incredible comeback to international basketball.
“One more match and we’ll take bronze,” she said.
“It would mean everything,” she said.
“It’s going to be hard work, but I think the girls are ready. Tonight everyone realizes that we have to pay more to win and that’s okay. At my age, it’s incredible to be back here. I have two kids. They’re my gold medals, so it’s a dream come true to be here.
“It’s disappointing to lose, but we have to look forward. It’s going to be tougher (than the World Cup). The Olympics are so much tougher than the World Cup. ‘Everyone comes to compete and gives everything. It’s going to be tough.’
Lauren Jackson will play her final match for the Opals at age 43 in the battle for the bronze medal
The Opals couldn’t match the firepower of the American team, which features a large number of WNBA talent
Jackie Young (14 points) and A’ja Wilson (10 points, eight rebounds) started well against the United States, before two-time Olympic champion Breanna Stewart (16 points, six rebounds, five assists) took over.
Captain Tess Madgen (10) held firm, while 19-year-old Isobel Borlase (11 points) impressed when given the chance in the final quarter.
“We felt like we could match them and tonight we probably didn’t play the Opals brand that we really wanted to show,” Cayla George said.
“We gave them the opportunity to get out and run, to do what they really love and what they’re good at.
“We didn’t let them get bogged down in attack as much as we would have liked.”
On Sunday they will play the bronze medal match against the winner of France and Belgium.
“We’ll be back on our feet soon,” George said.
I think you should figure it out as soon as possible.
“Everyone does it differently. I’m almost ready to play again tomorrow morning. Let’s get this medal game started.”
Kahleah Copper tries to shoot over Opal Cayla George’s suffocating defense
There was a lot of emotion in the Opals team, coached by New York Liberty manager Sandy Brondello and featuring seven current WNBA players, plus former star and Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson.
But they started off shaky, with six turnovers and three blocked shots, giving the US a 10-point lead in the first five minutes.
Madgen steadied themselves with five quick points and an expert assist from Sami Whitcomb to a cutting Jade Melbourne put them within two just before the quarter.
Jackson’s injection in the first quarter, particularly in defense of Brittney Griner, also seemed to give the team a boost as confidence grew.
However, the US quickly threw a spanner in the works and prevented Australia from having any chance at the start of the second quarter, scoring 14 points in a row within minutes to decide the game.
The height advantage meant the US could protect the ridge and repel the Australian attack
Jewell Lloyd tripled to make it 30-16 and Cayla George tripled in front of American stars Kevin Durant and Bam Adebeyo, a rare highlight in a 25-11 quarter.
The Opals tried to attack the rim but were constantly blocked, bouncing off stationary US bodies and only making a free throw in the final quarter.
The Americans controlled the boards, grabbed rebounds (46-34) and scored points in the paint (44-28).
The loss ended a stunning three-match winning streak that had given the Opals new life after a devastating defeat to Nigeria.
Australia are chasing a return to the podium for the first time since 2012, when they secured their fifth consecutive minor league berth in London.
Jackson, 43 and in her fifth Olympic campaign, received hugs after the match from her American rivals and from retired U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who was among the stars sitting on the sidelines.