Basketball great Lauren Jackson says Liz Cambage's attack on Canberra import Mistie Bass was borne out of frustration from dirty tactics used by opponents to stop the WNBL's best player.
While Jackson said she didn't condone the Opals star kneeing her opponent, she understood Cambage's actions which resulted in a one-match ban.
"She's the best player and the only way her opponents can stop her is to play a bit of under-handed, dirty basketball and I think she got fed up and that was it," Jackson told SEN radio.
"It was one of those really irrational decisions on her part and I believe it came purely from frustration and she snapped.
"It's happened to me, I've done it, I'm not proud of it but that's the game and that's how it goes.
"The girl doesn't have a nasty bone in her body so it's sad to see the negative press."
Cambage will miss the Boomers' WNBL table-topping clash away to Townsville on Thursday night after submitting an early guilty plea rather than risk a two-game ban by challenging the unduly rough conduct charge at the tribunal.
The daughter of American rock and roll legend Chubby Checker, Bass tried to return to the court but couldn't play out the game and is in doubt for their clash with Bendigo Spirit.
Cambage will be free to return for Sunday's home clash against the Sydney University Flames.
The retired Jackson said she'd exchanged text messages with her good friend, and planned to talk more to her about how to deal with the situation.
"I think she's at her wits end trying to figure out how can I handle this and rise above it ... I think this is going to be a real lesson for her."
Cambage in superb form, leading the league for average points.
She finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds against the Capitals, less than a week after hitting a season-high 44 points against the Adelaide Lightning.
