A Wednesday morning heartbreaker has ended the Boomers' Olympic dream, with Patty Mills' first half clinic and final seconds jumper to force overtime not enough to see Australia outlast Serbia and claim a semifinals berth overnight.
Mills ran riot in the opening quarter, scoring 12 points before the first break and extending his first half total to 20 before Nikola Jokić's side clawed back a 24-point deficit to lead by 65-63 heading into the final period of regular time.
Serbia responded with a 25-11 third quarter and looked to have sewed up a spot in the final four deep into the fourth.
Vasilije Micićs second free throw attempt extended the margin to two points with 9.8 seconds on the clock, before a timeout saw both sides head to the benches and the Boomers needing a field goal to save their Paris campaign.
After inbounding the ball, Mills mishandled then regathered, before scrambling to send the match into overtime.
The 35-year-old sent the stands and the Australian side into rapture with a contested elbow jumper over the extended arms of Jokić with just 1.4 seconds remaining.
It saw his contribution to the game total 26 points - a near repeat of his vintage display against Serbia when the two sides met in an exhibition warm up last month.
A Jokić three and additional free throws ended Australia's shot at improving on their Tokyo Bronze after both sides went blow for blow in the opening minutes of overtime, with Serbia winning 95-90.
Mills won't return from Paris entirely empty handed.
The five-time Olympian climbed to fifth of the all-time tournament men's scoring list during the group stage.
"The Olympic Games, this is where it brings the best out of people, teams, countries. This is why you play for these moments," he said post-match, via The Guardian.
"We threw everything at them and it just wasn't our day. Full credit to Serbia. They're one hell of a team.
"Great individuals on there, great competitors. Their toughness, they played a hell of a game and they grinded it out and got over the hump in the end.
"But our guys, man, we've had a blast. This journey's been fun. Been there through the thick and thin ups and downs. It's been a long ride. Learned a lot about ourselves. Learned a lot about myself and what it means to be an Australian competing for your country. And there's nothing that I enjoy more than that. I love it."
Mills became Australia's first Indigenous flag bearer at the opening ceremony in Tokyo on his way to helping snap the Boomers medal drought.
Serbia advance to the semi-final stage where they will meet the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal between the USA and Brazil.
