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Opals coach Sandy Brondello could unleash Lauren Jackson for one last United States dance after Australia booked a semifinal berth with the Olympic juggernauts in Paris.
The five-time Olympian, who has reversed multiple retirements to contest her first Games since 2012, hasn't featured in the Opals' last two victories.
Those wins have catapulted Australia from the group-stage scrap heap to, at worst, the bronze medal game.
ABC Sport is live blogging every day of the Paris Olympics
Jackson happily sat on the bench as they thrashed Serbia on Wednesday, improving on back-to-back quarter-final losses at the last two Olympics.
Fit and capable, Jackson looms as an offensive trump card, though she laughed off suggestions she could be deployed as a "secret weapon" against the seven-time defending champions.
"I don't think so; it's up to the coach whether I play or not," the 43-year-old said.
"Physically I'm fine.
"I will cheer as loud as I possibly can ... if I play, if I don't play, I don't really care."
Could it happen?
Brondello is tossing up a Jackson injection.
"You never know ... if we need something, we believe in Lauren," she said.
"There's no better one — if you're looking for a post player to handle the moment — there's no better than Lauren Jackson.
"We'll see. It depends on the match-ups, but Cayla George coming off the bench has been massive for us."
Loading...The US haven't lost a game at the Olympics since 1992, their 59th consecutive win coming against Nigeria on Wednesday night with a 88-74 scoreline.
All but two of those wins have been by double figures, their all-time Games record 72-3 ending in gold at nine of 11 tournaments entered.
Australia led the US at half-time in their London 2012 semi-final before losing by 13 points, eventually settling for bronze.
That was the last of five consecutive Games minor medals for Australia, upset by Serbia and flogged by the US after poor Rio and Tokyo campaigns respectively.
Jackson and Australia won the 2006 world championship but didn't face the United States, who were upset by Russia in the semi-final.
This Australian team has seven current WNBA players, as well as Jackson and experienced tough forwards George and Marianna Tolo.
Coming together on the eve of the Games, the Opals have rebuilt after a shock opening-game loss to Nigeria.
"We're in a really unique situation," Jackson said.
"We have a lot of girls playing now in the WNBA, who are playing big roles in their teams.
"This team just has an innate belief. I can't wait to see how it all plays out."
Jackson thinks the physical nature of this tournament will also play into their hands.
"It's been very different," she said.
"It's going to be interesting, to see how it's called.
"We just have to play our brand ... play physical.
"We're ready ... I truly believe if we stick to the game plan, play our style, we'll give them a fair run for their money."
Long-time WNBL coach Brondello, a former Opals teammate of Jackson's, said her side wouldn't fear the US and their Olympic dominance.
"Most of us play in the WNBA. We face these players day-in, day-out. They're humans, they're basketball players," she said.
"Anything can happen ... you've got to believe it, it's got to be a positive mindset.
"On any given day, you can come out. You can beat them.
"They're a great team. We know that. They have to stop us as well."
- The Opals will tackle the USA in their semifinal clash at 1.30am (AEST) Saturday 10 August. ABC Sport is live blogging every moment from the Paris Olympics.
AAP
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