Basketball fans blow up as broadcast feed cuts out in Lauren Jackson’s final moments

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Basketball fans have been left seeing red as they tuned in to catch a glimpse of Lauren Jackson put on a show in her farewell game.

The 41-year-old Jackson showed off one final time why she’s the greatest basketball player Australia has produced with an absurd 30-point display to guide the Opals to the bronze medal.

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After playing only sparingly throughout the majority of the tournament, Jackson wound the clock back when it mattered most in a stunning 21-minute outing as the Aussies demolished Canada 95-65 to win the bronze.

But in the final stages of the game, with Jackson fouled and heading to the line to attempt to bring up her 29th and 30th points … the broadcast feed cut out.

Jackson buried both free throws before she was taken out of the game to a standing ovation from the fans and rapturous celebrations from her teammates.

Fans watching the ESPN TV broadcast however missed it all and angered quickly ensued on social media.

After the game, ESPN issued a statement in which they apologised to fans for the broadcast error and posted a link to watch Jackson’s final moments in green and gold.

“We apologise for the issues on the Foxtel broadcast at the end of the Opals game. We are investigating the issue. The broadcast is continuing uninterrupted via Kayo and the E-App,” the statement read.

“The feed has been restored on Foxtel and there will be a replay of the closing moments of the Opals game before the World Cup Final.”

Jackson spoke after the game and said she felt tears coming.

“Right before the game, it dawned on me, it literally hit me that this was going to be the last game I ever play for Australia,” she told ESPN.

“Because of how special this whole tournament has been, this whole journey has been for me, I got pretty emotional about it before I left.”

Jackson released a statement on Saturday morning confirming it would be her last match in the green-and-gold, ending a glittering career which included four WNBL MVPs and five titles, three WNBA MVPs and two WNBA titles as well as a World Championship gold medal in 2006, three Olympic silvers and an Olympic bronze amid a host of other accolades including induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“It dawned on me that this will be last ever game in green and gold and how lucky I am to have had this opportunity to represent Australia and also say goodbye, I didn’t get that chance all those years ago. I’m so proud of our Opals girls and regardless of the result this has been the most incredible journey of my basketball life.”

Originally published as Basketball fans blow up as broadcast feed cuts out in Lauren Jackson’s final moments