Opals fall just short in final Olympic preview

Photo: Marianna Tolo.

The Australian Opals will go into the Olympics with high expectations, after another encouraging display against Canada on Wednesday morning, Australian time. 

The highly-touted Canadian team sits alongside the Opals and the USA as the experts’ top picks for medals in Paris, with the teams going shot-for-shot in a potential preview of what’s to come in a week's time. 

Canada took early bragging rights leading into the group phase of the Olympics, with a three-point win over the Opals. The teams will match up again on August 1, in Group B in Lille. 

Jade Melbourne was the standout for the Australians in the 74-77 loss, with 23 points, to lead all scorers, as well as 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Alanna Smith followed up her strong performance against Spain with another 12 points, while five-time Olympian Lauren Jackson sat out the Opals’ final pre-Olympic test.

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Kayla Alexander had 21 points for the winners.

The Opals tip off their Olympic campaign on Monday, July 29 at 7pm AEST, facing the 12th world-ranked Nigeria, before games against Canada and France, with all games to be played in Lille. 

AUSTRALIAN OPALS 74 (MELBOURNE 23, SMITH 12, MAGBEGOR 9, WHITCOMB 9)
CANADA 77 (ALEXANDER 21, ACHONWA 15, CARLETON 10)

A gritty finish 😮‍💨

AUS 74 | 77 CAN

Canada has managed to narrowly edge out the Opals by three overnight in Segovia, wrapping up the final preparations for Paris.

Melbourne lit up the offence, notching 23 points to her name, followed by Smith with 12, and Magbegor and… pic.twitter.com/ykVwmc7EQC

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) July 23, 2024