Lauren Jackson to have surgery on fractured foot, torn Achilles after horror WNBL injury
Lauren Jackson has undergone successful duel leg surgeries as she contemplates the long road back to continue her storied basketball careeer.
Australian basketball great Lauren Jackson has undergone successful surgery on both her legs and is recovering in hospital.
Surgeons repaired the torn right Achilles that ended her night after just 61 seconds during Southside’s clash with Sydney in front of a record crowd at John Cain Arena.
While in the hands of anaesthetists, Jackson, 41, also had the fractured foot that has, for the past two months, hampered her.
Preliminary scans following the devastating Achilles injury left medicos confident Jackson would not need surgery to repair the partial Achilles tea. That diagnosis changed as specialists further investigated the tricky injury.
For almost two months, Jackson had been playing with a fracture in her left foot, suffered against Perth on December 8.
“I planned to have surgery in the off-season to repair the fractured foot I injured in early December, and now my season is over, I have decided to have the surgery as soon as possible,” Jackson said.
Only last week, Jackson said she had no plans to retire and she has still refused to call time on her career.
But the Opals legend is aware she faces an arduous path back from an injury that is accursed for basketballers.
Hope dual surgeries can save Jackson’s career
Lauren Jackson will go under the knife on Thursday with dual surgeries to repair her torn Achilles and fractured foot, but she refuses to close the door on her storied basketball career.
The 41-year-old GOAT left the basketball world gutted when her right Achilles went “pop” just 61 seconds into the historic clash between Southside Flyers’ and Sydney Flames, played in front of a record WNBL crowd last Saturday night.
Preliminary scans left medicos confident Jackson would not need surgery to repair the partial Achilles tear, but that diagnosis changed as specialists further investigated the tricky injury.
For almost two months, Jackson had been playing with a fracture in her left foot, suffered against Perth on December 8.
“I planned to have surgery in the off-season to repair the fractured foot I injured in early December, and now my season is over, I have decided to have the surgery as soon as possible,” Jackson said.
Only last week, Jackson said she had no plans to retire and she has still refused to call time on her career.
But the Opals legend is aware she faces an arduous path back from an injury that is accursed for basketballers.
“I was always waiting to see how the surgery on my fractured foot in the off-season goes before making a decision on my future,” Jackson said.
“That is still my plan, to wait and see how I recover from this injury and the surgery on my foot, before I look at my future.”
“While my season is over, I will continue to be part of the team and help where I can, to ensure we continue to work to earn the success we are capable of.
In an emotional night for Australian basketball, the sport’s GOAT was feted by the record WNBL crowd of 7681 that packed Melbourne’s John Cain Arena.
“You know, I’m pretty tough but, when I felt it, I felt something pop, and then I was just standing there and I said to the referee ‘I actually can’t walk, I don’t know if I can walk off the court’,” she said.
The Opals legend has had the sport taken away from her before, forced to retire in 2006 due to chronic pain in knees and a body that had propelled her to the finest career by an Australian basketballer ever.
Jackson’s return last year put the spotlight back on the women’s game in Australia.
She sees the irony that, again, she could be facing the prospect of being forced out by injury, after spending the past two months playing through the pain of a fractured left foot.
“Great news is, it’s not my broken foot, it’s the other one,” she said.
“Hopefully it’s just a stinger.”
Despite the injury, Jackson was still buoyed by the huge turnout at JCA.
“What a magic thing for women’s basketball in this country,” she said.
“To have that sort of support in Melbourne was just incredible.
“I’ve said it a million times, off the back of the World Cup (in Sydney last year) the visibility basketball has had has really lifted out the profile of our sport.
“To have a crowd like that here in Melbourne, hopefully it’s just the start of many games like this
“It was great to prove that it can be done and I’m pretty sure every single person in the stadium thoroughly enjoyed that game.”
Jackson fights back tears despite WNBL record
They came for the GOAT and left a part of basketball history, but it was a bittersweet night for the 7681 who watched a shattered Lauren Jackson leave the court after just 61 seconds.
A record WNBL crowd converged on John Cain Arena on Saturday night to witness the legendary Opal strut her stuff in the inaugural WNBL game at Melbourne’s home of basketball.
But Jackson hobbled from the court in significant pain after contact to her leg just moments into Southside’s clash with Sydney Flames.
Flyers tall Abby Bishop checked into the game for Jackson and asked her if she was OK — the GOAT shook her head and limped to the bench momentarily, before leaving the court proper and heading down the race in the hands of medicos.
Tears flowed down the 41-year-old’s face as a stunned silence gripped the huge crowd, which eclipsed the previous WNBL record of 7500, set in 1995 in Adelaide.
Jackson wrestled with her emotions post game but was still able to muster a joke that drew laughs from the crowd who stayed behind to hear her speak.
“This was absolutely incredible. To be a part of it tonight was just magic, but it was a shame I couldn’t play more than 10 seconds,” Jackson said.
“I think we have the best team in the league, there’s no doubt about it, and I’ve just got to regroup and get back out there.
“This is the first of many (WNBL games at JCA) and it’s great to see so many people supporting women’s basketball.”
Early in the second quarter, Jackson returned to the bench on crutches and will have scans on Monday to determine the severity of her injury.
The Flyers confirmed the Opals great’s leg injury was unrelated to the foot fracture she has been playing through since December 8.
Jackson was seen post-game with ice and strapping on her lower right leg. The existing foot fracture is in her left foot.
The evening began with a huge buzz as a highlight reel of Jackson’s epic career played on the jumbotron, before a raucous cheer rang out as the No.25 bounded onto the court.
Only this week, the 41-year-old told News Corp she wasn’t considering retirement.
“I don’t even want to finish, I want to play as long as I can.”
It was a banner night for women’s basketball, despite the disappointment of Jackson’s early injury exit.
The top-of-the-table Flyers and plucky Flames fought a war that was only separated by a solitary point at the end of play.
A pair of Maddy Rocci free throws with 41 seconds left broke the deadlock for the Flyers but emergent Flames star Tiana Mangakahia quickly cancelled those out at the other end.
The Flyers couldn’t get a bucket out of the ensuing timeout and Mangakahia went up the other end and defied an incredibly hostile reception to pot one of two of her free throws to make it 68-67 with a tick over two seconds left.
Flyers star import Kayla Thornton got a good look in the lane, but her game-winning effort rimmed out at the buzzer.
Guard Rocci had 19 points, Thornton 14, while towering Bishop stepped her game up in Jackson’s absence with 11 points and eight boards.
The Flames, following Shyla Heal’s departure and with the spectre of coach Shane Heal’s absence still looming, were led by the rejuvenated Mangakahia who pushed her Opals credentials with an eye-catching 26 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, aided by Vanessa Panousis, whose 15 points included a pair of late threes which gave her team a sniff.
A veritable who’s who of Aussie basketball helped honour Jackson, post game.
Trailblazer Michele Timms called Jackson the “gift that keeps on giving” to Aussie basketball.
“I love that LJ is getting the recognition she deserves, Timms said.
Triple-Olympian Robyn Maher said Jackson return was “inspiring a new generation of fans.”
HOW JACKSON HAS PLAYED THROUGH PAINFUL FRACTURE
Don’t call it a farewell tour – yet.
When Lauren Jackson is asked if she made a comeback to basketball in a bid to go out on her own terms, the answer is a firm “no”.
“It was never about finishing on my own terms — I don’t even want to finish, I want to play as long as I can,” Jackson, whose bad knees, in 2016, forced a premature end to one of the most-decorated careers in the sport’s history.
The three-time WNBA MVP helped the Opals to bronze at the FIBA World Cup, before resuming her WNBL career with Southside.
“I could never have anticipated any of this happening, even when I started training again I never thought I would play for the Opals or be back in the WNBL,” an emotional Jackson said as she held back tears.
“The way it’s all unfolded has just been crazy.
“I’ve had the time of my life. I get emotional talking about it.
“The fact I’ve been able to do it again, it’s blown my mind.”
As she hobbles around Wantirna South’s State Basketball Centre nursing the “brutal” broken foot that has hampered her since early December, the triple-Olympic silver medallist acknowledges off-season surgery would play a part in her decision to play on.
But she’s adamant she didn’t go into it with a ‘one-and-done’ mindset.
“I love it, I wouldn’t be injured if I didn’t have to be, but I wouldn’t change anything else for the world,” Jackson said.
“It’s been magic being able to play again, being in the league in front of Australian crowds and my children getting to see me play.
“It’s been so special, that’s why I don’t want it to end.
“I know what it’s like to retire and to lose that thing that you love so much. So, if I can prolong it, I want to.
“I’m going to have to have surgery in the off-season and see how that goes before I make the decision on my future.”
SETTING MORE RECORDS
In a peerless career that features seven titles across the WNBA and WNBL, along with a swag of accolades too numerous to mention, Jackson is eyeing another piece of history on Saturday night when she leads top-of-the-table Southside, for the first-ever game on Melbourne’s John Cain Arena.
More than 7000 fans have swooped on the chance to catch a glimpse of the GOAT as the WNBL closes in on a record-breaking crowd.
The clash with bitter interstate rival Sydney is tipped to smash the league-record mark of 7500, set in Adelaide in 1995.
The game doubles as a celebration of the 41-year-old Aussie basketball doyenne.
Jackson’s played in front of plenty of big crowds but believes Saturday night will be a watershed moment for the women’s game in Australia.
“It’s very special because it hasn’t been done yet so, if we do pack it out, it’s going to be incredible,” Jackson said.
“I’m super excited and I know the girls are ready to play.
“Our sport’s been around a long time — the WNBL’s been here for 43 years — and this is the first of many women’s games we’ll see at John Cain Arena.
“It’s awesome we’ve got this and hopefully we can just keep building.”
Tickets are still available from Ticketek for the game, which tips off at 6.30pm.
DEFINITION OF TOUGH
As severe pain coursed through her foot during the Flyers’ 83-74 December 8 win over the Lynx in Perth, Jackson made a beeline for Southside coach Cheryl Chambers.
“It was a shock. I said to Cheryl after the game ‘I think I’ve broken my foot, I can’t walk’,” Jackson said.
“The next day, it was really bad, and then I tried to warm up and play against Townsville (on December 10) but I couldn’t even run on it.”
Jackson — who has coped with more pain across her career than most elite athletes — initially wrote it off as “arthritis” as the foot improved enough for her to get back out on the court.
“I thought it was just arthritis so in my head I was like, ‘I know I’m in pain, but if this is my new normal, I’m just going to have to get used to it — otherwise, it’s over’,” she said.
“I just readjusted my mindset and said ‘yep, I have to play through it’.
“Then, I went back to the doctor, just to try to get a cortisone injection, and he sent me for another scan, which showed the fracture.”
That diagnosis came too late for one of the most-determined sportspeople Australia has ever produced — she knew she could still play.
“Had I found out it was broken straight after the Perth game, I probably wouldn’t have got back on the court,” she said.
“But, because I’d played on it, I had the confidence I could get through it. I knew that I could run so I’ve just tried to suck it up and get through it as best I can.
“It’s not healing while I’m playing on it, so as long I can handle the pain, I’ll keep going as long as I can.”
CONTROL OF OWN DESTINY
Jackson’s balanced Flyers team sits atop the WNBL thanks to a bevy of contributors across the board.
She’s second in points per game at 14.5 and rebounds at 5.5, behind WNBA star Kayla Thornton, who pours in nearly 17 points per night with over 7 rebounds. Opals squad members Maddison Rocci and Sarah Blicavs have also starred.
They’re in a dogfight with cross-town rivals Melbourne Boomers (11-4), Townsville Fire (11-4) and Bendigo Spirit (11-5), all one win behind.
Jackson is pleased the Flyers’ (12-4) destiny is in their hands.
“We really need to make sure that we win out,” she said.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet, so hopefully over the next couple of weeks we can really knuckle down and find that chemistry
“We have had games where it’s really been like ‘OMG’ but it’s only been one game here and there.
“We know we can be great so we’ve just got to get consistency with it and hopefully that starts this weekend.”
Cayla and Candace: From star-struck teen to WNBA teammate
The WNBA’s new super team Las Vegas Aces just got even more stacked with the addition of Australian Opals’ star Cayla George.
Hot on the heels of basketball great Candace Parker’s shock unveiling, the Aces have inked World Cup bronze medallist George to a one-year deal.
Vegas, along with a number of other WNBA clubs, chased the 33-year-old after her matchwinning performances at the Sydney tournament and George is excited to return to the big league with new baby Pearl and husband Kailou in tow.
The SA-born tall is set to play a major role in one of the most-stacked teams in WNBA history, alongside Parker, dual league MVP A’ja Wilson, All-WNBA first team gun Kelsey Plum and last year’s WNBA finals MVP Chelsea Gray.
“The Aces liked what I was about at the World Cup on and off the court, they liked what I brought culturally to a group,” George said.
“Their first question was ‘is this something you even want to do’ and they said ‘here’s what we see for you’.
“I’d never been approached like that by a team from the WNBA.
“I’m so overwhelmed with excitement for it and the opportunity to play on a super team and have a chance to win a WNBA championship.”
It’s a reunion — of sorts — with a childhood hero in Parker, who she met more than a decade ago at the AIS.
“I’ve looked up to her and she’s been one of the greatest for a very long time,” George said of her legendary new teammate.
“I met her as a 17-year-old when the USA team was playing some Opals games at the AIS Arena.
“I’ll definitely show her the photo I’ve got with her.
“She’s got her young son and her daughter there so we’ll have a bit of a baby creche at the Aces.”
George has backed up her rose gold World Cup efforts, dominating the WNBL with the reigning champion Melbourne Boomers, in the hunt for her fifth league title.
Her numbers in a side that has occupied a top-two spot for most of the season, are MVP-worthy:
> Third in the WNBL in scoring at 18.6 per game
> Second in rebounds at 11.9 and three-point makes at 2.6 per game
> Top 10 in assists (4.7), steals (1.8), blocks (0.8) and free throw percentage (85.7)
The Aces get a battle-hardened star with height (193cm) who can do it all — score the ball, shoot the three, rebound, defend and lead.
George previously spent three seasons in the WNBA with Dallas and Phoenix, the last of those in 2018. She says she feels better-equipped now, for the rigours of the big show and is relishing the opportunity to learn under master coach Beccy Hammon.
“I’ve added a few things on the court and I’m more settled in a lot of ways,” she said.
“Pearl gives me a lot of perspective in life — my life is all about her now, so it certainly gives a fresher mindset and I’m playing a bit freer and not over thinking as much.
“I’m a full veteran now and I have a lot more experience — two world cups and an Olympics since then.
“I’m turning 34 years old and I’m probably feeling the best, mentally and physically, I’ve ever felt in my life.
“As soon as you turn 30, everyone’s like ‘are you going to retire’ and I was like ‘yeah, I’m not quite ready for that conversation’.
“I feel like I can bring a lot (to the WNBA) and, mentally, I’m looking forward to going over there and showing I can compete in that league.”
George said when it came to Kailou and Pearl, it was one in, all in, but her four dogs — Coco, Caesar, Havana and Stanley — will have to stay home with her mum in Cairns and settle for walks with Boomers teammate Penina Davidson, who will spend the off-season playing with the Dolphins.
“The thought of being away from the dogs is probably the hardest thing, but we’ll be all right,” George laughed.
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