Wildcats big-man Matt Knight has been rated a 50-50 chance by coach Trevor Gleeson to play in this Sunday’s crucial grand final game three against the Illawarra Hawks as he continues to recover from a concussion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Knight was helped off the court early in the third quarter of Perth’s 89-77 game two victory on Wednesday night after copping a stray elbow from teammate Casey Prather.
He has since undergone concussion tests and will continue to be monitored by club medical staff heading into what could be the deciding match at Perth Arena.
The Wildcats have a chance to seal a 3-0 series sweep in the fixture while Illawarra are looking to keep their fading NBL championship hopes alive.
Perth are hot favourites to win on their home floor, but the Hawks, who many expected to miss out on playoff basketball in 2016-17, have no intention of making the Wildcats’ quest for a record eighth title easy.
"We are not about honourable losses," Hawks co-captain Oscar Forman said.
"[Hawks coach Rob Beveridge] has talked about that over the last few weeks. It is not about us doing so well and having an honourable loss. It is about us winning the damn game.
"For us going in, that's our whole mindset.
"That's why we are going to Perth.
“We are not going to have an honourable loss and then a drink. We are going to Perth to go over and then give Illawarra another game."
If Illawarra can force game four it will be played at WIN Entertainment Centre next Friday night.
