Canberra Capitals superstar Lauren Jackson this week warned fans not to expect her to be "Wonder Woman" in her slow but steady comeback from long term injury.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the Capitals - and Australian Opals coach Brendan Joyce -would have been encouraged by the centre's improvement in Friday's 87-52 WNBL home win over West Coast Waves.
Looking far sharper with her shooting and movement up and down the court, the 33-year-old scored 15 points off 7-12 shooting in just 16 minutes of court time.
Needing to win to keep its finals hopes alive, Canberra (7-9) turned a 20-18 quarter-time deficit into a 47-31 half-time advantage and went on with the job in the second half.
The Capitals need to win at least five of their last six matches to make the playoffs, but Jackson is the ace in the pack and if she continues to improve, it's not beyond reach.
Canberra's defensive intensity after quarter-time was superb, the hosts keeping the Waves to just 32 points after the first break.
"Defensively we were tough tonight, particularly in the second and third quarters we played some great 'D'," Canberra coach Carrie Graf said..
"Loz [Jackson] had as many points as minutes and improved from last week. The more time she has she'll get better and better. She has more of a sense for us."
Jackson's infamous mid-range jumper was on song from the outset in her third game back, a strong sign she's growing in confidence at the right time.
"It's her trademark and it's hard to guard. I don't care who guards her, you can't defend that," Graf said.
"She played with more confidence tonight and she needed that. Each week she'll get more confidence in what we run and her own game. When her turnaround jumper is there, that's a really positive sign."
Canberra's strength, its front court, was dominant, WNBL Most Valuable Player candidate Abby Bishop racking up 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The forward scored 18 points in the first half, the Waves unable to guard the versatile 25-year-old minus injured inside presence Louella Tomlinson.
Aside from arguably league leaders Townsville, Canberra's front court of Jackson, Bishop and Talbot is the WNBL's most lethal on paper.
Bench forward Sam Norwood was also important, racking up 14 boards to help give Bishop and Jackson a breather.
Bishop said Jackson's presence has eased the significant workload she's been forced to shoulder in her absence.
"It's been great having her back, I can take a back seat," Bishop said.
"I still feel like I'm doing what I was before, but there's not as much pressure on me to get every rebound and be the go-to scorer."
Canberra next plays Sydney at home on Thursday night.
CANBERRA CAPITALS 87 (Abby Bishop 21, Lauren Jackson 15, Jess Bibby 10) bt WEST COAST WAVES 52 (Lindsey Moore 15, Deanna Smith 14) at AIS Arena on Friday night. Crowd: 913.
