Perth will host the first two games of the NBL grand final series and while it seems highly unlikely, Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has not entirely ruled out star Bryce Cotton making a return for the club's three-peat attempt.
Cotton has been sidelined since May 21, having had surgery after suffering a haematoma to his left quadriceps.
Gleeson said the two-time NBL MVP, who is in the running for a third honour on Wednesday, hasn't even touched a basketball since going down.
But after booking a date in the championship series with a semi-final clenching win over the Illawarra Hawks in Perth on Monday night, the coach didn't say Cotton definitely wouldn't play a part.
"Who knows?" he said. "I am a coach and I am always looking for ways to improve.
"If that's a chance, I will go down that path."
The Wildcats medical staff already has its work cut out for them. Guard Mitch Norton played on Monday only after passing a fitness test. He injured his hip in Game 2 against the Hawks.
Norton was influential late in the deciding game, even throwing his banged-up body on a loose ball to win possession for his side when the Hawks were challenging.
"I don't feel too much right now," he said after the win. "Heading to a grand final, that pain goes away.
"If diving for a loose ball made it sore, that's the price you pay to book a ticket to the grand final."
The Wildcats will meet either Melbourne United or South East Melbourne Phoenix in the grand final. Their chances of success received a boost with the first two of five games scheduled to be played in Perth, starting on Friday.
Game 2 will be played on Sunday.
Gleeson welcomed the decision.
"To play three games in five days with travel is always an issue," he said. "To get the first two at home, we can rest our bodies up, give Mitch some rest and lock in to it later in the week.
"Hopefully we can get this place rocking on the weekend and get some wins."
