Wildcats rule out big man, star import made to wait

The Perth Wildcats will go into a vital clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix without one of their biggest stars, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr sidelined by a calf injury.

Asked whether he'd put a line through Lual-Acuil Jr for Friday night's game, coach John Rillie said: "Yep, absolutely."

Rillie was unable to provide a timeline on his return.

"Joe is meticulous with how he looks after himself. So he's always going to give himself the best chance to be back ASAP. So we just kind of got to see how that plays out over time," he said.

The Wildcats are "likely" to finally have a genuine point guard at their disposal against the Phoenix, just not Brandon Knight. Fresh off a 30-hour journey, the former NBA star will be eased in, while Jaron Rillie could return after a long lay-off through injury.

Rillie said the club would take no risks with their star import.

Knight is still completing his medicals, and the coach wants him to get a full week of training before he debuts.

"We don't need to put him into that situation," Rillie said. "Let him get a good week of practice under him and we'll move forward from there.

"He doesn't have to feel like he has to come in and solve the world's problems."

>> Fresh off a 30-hour flight, Knight wants in straight away

Despite the absence of a traditional point guard, the Wildcats have found a way in the opening two rounds.

They sit 2-1 after three games at RAC Arena and have won their last two. Elijah Pepper's buzzer-beater sank Adelaide, and they came from 11 points down to beat the Breakers.

The Wildcats host the Phoenix on Friday from 9.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.