The win was not only the exclamation mark on a stellar campaign for the Opals, but a feather in the cap for Ezi Magbegor who produced the best game of her career to date when the most was at stake.

“I think she proved to herself that she can carry a team,” Lauren Jackson said.

“I'm so glad she had this platform in this game today for people to see just how incredible she is. Heading into the future, she really is the centrepiece of this team.”

Her 30 points were a career best, surpassing the 24 points Ezi scored last year against Washington in the WNBA.

Ezi had her best start to a game of this tournament with six points, three rebounds and a block to get the Opals going early. She was rolling to the rim with repeated success, sporting 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks by half-time - helping Australia keep a one-point buffer they also held at quarter-time.

“I just knew I needed to do everything I could,” Ezi said.

But the best of Ezi was still to come. She matched her career-high on a mid-range jump shot to give the Opals breathing space with a 54-45 advantage midway through the third quarter. 

Belgium roared right back, delivering an 11-1 run of their own while Ezi spent time on the bench to take a 56-55 lead.

The last of the game’s 15 lead changes took place with 6:43 to play in the fourth quarter, which ended a long range shooting exhibition from both teams.

The lead was never safe until Tess Madgen went to the free throw line with a five-point lead and six seconds left on the clock and the Opals began to celebrate.

Tess and Ezi made clutch free throws and Steph Talbot came up with the biggest play of the game, a block on a three-point attempt from Antonia Delaere that could have tied the game with 25 seconds to go.

The win marks yet another highlight in the international career of legend Lauren Jackson, a career that can only be described as once in a generation.

Lauren, at 43, has rewritten the record books as Australia’s greatest ever basketballer. 

A WNBA champion and MVP, FIBA world champion, seven-time WNBL champion and four-time MVP became a five-time Olympian in Paris, having worn the green and gold at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and now Paris 2024.

Paris was extra special for Lauren, now a mother to two sons Harry and Lennon, who were in attendance alongside her parents at Bercy Arena, a proud Aussie family from Albury, NSW.

“When I had them, there was no thought I was ever gonna set foot back on the basketball court.” Lauren said. 

“It's been special. Lenny's always like ‘mum, why aren't you getting on the court?’ I'm sure that'll stick in his mind for the rest of the time. But I'll just be like, no, I did like four other (Olympic) Games.”

The Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer for the London Olympic Games, Lauren has helped lead the Australian Opals to numerous accolades including three silver and two bronze medals as the leading women’s point scorer in Olympic history.

Paris yet marked another accolade with Lauren being the first Australian to win five medals across five Olympic Games.

Despite all the records, trophies and medals, Lauren’s biggest impact will forever be leading the Opals legacy in creating a movement for women and girls to feel empowered in sport.

“We know the career she's had. We know that she's the GOAT (greatest of all time).” Cayla Georgia said. 

“She's taking a smaller role on the court here and cheered us on, lapped it up. She's a five-time Olympian and helped lead us. She's the GOAT. Like, mic drop.”

“Wherever she goes, she brings success, so it was great to have her to bring experience.” Ezi said. 

“Whether she was on the floor or not. She’s just got an aura, her vibe, it was felt throughout the team and it inspires all of us.”

With this result, Ezi, Lauren and the Opals once again inspired a nation, and fuelled Australia’s love for the sport. A passion that will no doubt only grow not just to Los Angeles in 2028, but shine into Brisbane 2032.

For now, the Opals will return home having once again put Australian basketball on the map with another bronze medal.

Jeff Dickinson-Fox & Shannon Knaus