The Australian Opals came into the 2024 Paris Olympics as the second-favourite for gold behind Team USA, but their campaign couldn't have gotten off to a worse start.
Losing veteran sharp-shooter Bec Allen on the eve of the Games to a hamstring injury didn't help their cause, but facing Nigeria in their opening game, most expected the Aussies to cruise to victory.
Someone forgot to tell Nigeria.
The 2023 AfroBasket champions pulled off a major upset, securing a 75-62 win to go to the top of Group B, out-hustling the Opals at every turn as they held off the Aussies fourth-quarter rally which saw them get to within two points.
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"It was not good, it was a disaster out there," Opals veteran Lauren Jackson said post-game.
"For us, we need to pick ourselves up, regroup, have a good look deep inside and go 'Right, how are we going to win this thing?'
"We have to get back on track otherwise it could be over in a flash."
While Nigeria seized their chances, the Opals made life tougher for themselves, committing a whopping 26 turnovers and converting just 8-of-18 at the free throw line.
"Everything, really," Opals head coach Sandy Brondello said when asked what went wrong against Nigeria.
"Turnovers, we couldn't handle any kind of pressure.
"We weren't real quick learners, we kept doing the same thing over and over.
"Just couldn't make them (free throws).
"S--- happens, but you've got to make free throws at this level."
MORE: Live updates, scores from Opals shock loss to Nigeria
Lauren Jackson becomes oldest ever Olympic basketball player
While the result didn't go the Opals way, Lauren Jackson added her name to the record books, becoming the oldest basketball player (men's or women's) to take the court at the Olympic Games at 43 years and 79 days old.
24 - Lauren Jackson will compete at the 2024 Olympics almost 24 years after making her debut in the competition, in Sydney in 2000, the longest span among all players in the #Olympics Basketball Tournaments (Men & Women). Eternal.#Paris2024 #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/5Y2llqifPY
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) July 29, 2024
The previous record was held by Spain's Laia Palau who was 41 years and 332 days old at the Tokyo Olympics, while Brazilian guard Marcelinho Huertas holds the men's record at 41 years and 63 days, making his third Olympic appearance at Paris 2024.
🥈Sydney 2000
— Benyam Kidane (@BenyamKidane) July 29, 2024
🥈Athens 2004
🥈Beijing 2008
🥉London 2012
⏳Paris 2024
Five Olympic appearances over 24 years for @laurenej15 is unbelievable #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/0Zj9c9ynrs
Opals Paris Olympics schedule - Group B
The Opals face Canada and France in their remaining Group B games.
| Date | Game/Result | Time (AEST) | Location | TV Channel |
| July 29 | Nigeria 75, Australia 62 | 7:00 p.m. | Pierre Mauroy Stadium | Nine/Stan Sport |
| August 1 | vs Canada | 9:30 p.m. | Pierre Mauroy Stadium | Nine/Stan Sport |
| August 5 | vs France | 5:00 a.m. | Pierre Mauroy Stadium | Nine/Stan Sport |
Australian Opals women's basketball roster 2024
| Player | Position | Team |
| Amy Atwell | G | Perth Lynx |
| Issy Borlase | G | Adelaide Lightning |
| Cayla George | F/C | Sydney Flames |
| Lauren Jackson | F/C | Southside Flyers |
| Tess Madgen | G | Sydney Flames |
| Ezi Magbegor | C | Seattle Storm |
| Jade Melbourne | G | Washington Mystics |
| Alanna Smith | F | Minnesota Lynx |
| Steph Talbot | F | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Marianna Tolo | C | Bendigo Spirit |
| Kristy Wallace | G | Indiana Fever |
| Sami Whitcomb | G | Seattle Storm |
