Big problems: JackJumpers' rebound at risk

The Tasmania JackJumpers are sweating on the fitness of team captain Will Magnay for Saturday's showdown with Cairns.

The 2024 Paris Olympian left the court during Tasmania's Ignite Cup loss to Perth in the third quarter on Wednesday and did not return to action after treatment.

Despite the concern for the NBL24 champion, coach Scott Roth remained tight-lipped on the big man's availability for the club's Round 7 fixture with Cairns, while outlining potential contingency plans if Magnay was sidelined.

"I have no update [on Magnay]," Roth said in Wednesday's post-game press conference at MyState Bank Arena.

"I think right now with [Josh] Bannan, he has the ability to play the five and definitely get second line fives in the league.

"With Jok (Majok Deng) obviously he can swing back and forth there, so it gives us some versatility and for right now, Kobe’s (Williamson) probably not in the mix very much.

"He hasn’t really practiced that well and we’re waiting to see what he ends up doing, but we’ll see how it goes.

"If we have to play small, we’ll play small with (Nick) Marshall at the four."

The importance of Magnay to this JackJumpers side, who are now 5-4 on the season, can't be underestimated.

The 27-year-old is currently second in the team in rebounding at 6.3 (behind only Bannan at 8.8), while leading the JackJumpers in blocks (1.7 per contest).

If he is sidelined, the JackJumpers would need to improve their rebounding rate (38.7 per game), which is currently last in the league.

"We got smashed again on the glass, which has been a huge problem for us," Roth said.

"They [Perth] just played harder and stronger and faster than us and made some good plays down the stretch.

"We continue to harp on it and it's from all positions, not necessarily the two bigs.

"Teams are quite aggressive getting to the glass [against us] and until we can stand our ground and man up, we'll continue to have this problem and it'll cost us."

Saturday's Indigenous Round clash with Cairns tips off at 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.