The Opals will play for Olympic bronze after their latest effort to unseat the all-conquering Americans was swatted away in a 85-64 semi-final loss.
Australia had their moments but were no match for the Americans' physicality and athleticism around the rim, Opals tumbling to the pine a common sight on Friday at the Bercy Arena.
Their Olympic head-to-head record now reads 0-9 and the US are on a 60-match Games streak as they seek an eighth-straight title against France on Sunday.
Only twice on that run, since 1992, have they won by less than 10 points.
Jackie Young (14 points) and A'ja Wilson (10 points, eight rebounds) started well before two-time Olympic champion Breanna Stewart (16 points, six rebounds, five assists) took over.
Captain Tess Madgen (10) held her own while 19-year-old Isobel Borlase (11 points) impressed when given the chance in the final quarter.
"We felt we could match it with them and tonight we probably didn't play the Opals brand that we really wanted to come out and play," Cayla George said.
"We allowed them to get out and run, do what they really like to and do what they're good at.
"We didn't really get them bogged down in an offence as much as we would have liked."
The Opals will play Belgium in Sunday's bronze medal game, while the Americans march on against the hosts - the same gold medal match as the Olympic men's tournament.
"We'll bounce back quickly," George said.
"I feel like you just have to figure it out as quick as possible.
"Each individual will do that in a different way. For me, I'm almost ready to play again tomorrow morning. Let's get this medal game started."
There was plenty of feeling in it for an Opals side coached by New York Liberty boss Sandy Brondello and boasting seven current WNBA players in the side, plus former league great and Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson.
But they were shaky to begin, six turnovers and three blocked shots allowing the US to race out by 10 points in the first five minutes.
Madgen steadied with five quick points and an expert Sami Whitcomb assist to a cutting Jade Melbourne got them within two points approaching quarter time.
Jackson's first-quarter injection, mostly to guard Brittney Griner, also seemed to spark the side as confidence swelled.
It was promptly eaten up by the US though, who denied any good Australia looks to began the second quarter and racked up 14-straight points to put the game to bed just minutes into that period.
Jewell Lloyd's triple made it 30-16, Cayla George nailing a triple in front of the spectating US men's stars Kevin Durant and Bam Adebeyo a rare highlight of a 25-11 quarter.
The Opals tried to attack the rim but were constantly shut down, bouncing off stationary US bodies and unable to earn a free throw until the final quarter.
The Americans bossed the boards, winning rebounds 46-34 and points in the paint 44-28.
The loss busted a brilliant three-game winning streak that had resuscitated the Opals after a horror first-up defeat to Nigeria.
Australia is chasing a return to the podium for the first time since 2012, when they clinched a fifth-straight minor placing in London.
Jackson, 43 and in her fifth Olympic campaign, received post-game hugs from her US rivals and retired US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who was among the stars sitting courtside.
