Tasmania JackJumpers import Marcus Lee still a chance to face Perth Wildcats in game one semi-final despite injury concern

A star Tasmania JackJumpers import may still be a chance to feature in Friday’s first semi-final clash against Perth.

Tasmania JackJumpers assistant coach Jack Fleming is “optimistic” star import Marcus Lee won’t miss Friday night’s game one semi-final clash against Perth.

Lee played the opening 22 seconds of the Seeding Qualifier win against Illawarra after he went down with what appeared to be a bad shoulder injury.

Marcus Lee leaves the court injured during the NBL Seeding Qualifier match. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

But the club confirmed post-game that further assessment had revealed it was a pinched nerve in his neck – caused by shoulder pain – that was the issue.

Now seven days removed from the incident, Fleming said Lee was yet to be ruled out of the first of a three-game series against the Wildcats at RAC Arena.

“He will be day to day but at the moment he is tracking well and we are optimistic about it,” Fleming said.

“We were lucky it wasn’t a bad shoulder injury and he seems to be in a good spot.

“From the moment (it happened) we thought it was an AC or a shoulder so for it to just be a little neck tweak is great news and it’s just great to have him back so early in the week.”

Lee trained with the squad at Tuesday’s practice with Fleming adding that they will probably know more about his availability come Wednesday.

“We will see how tomorrow (Wednesday) goes,” he said.

“We will probably be able to make a decision by then but (he is) in a good spot at the moment. We are optimistic about where Marcus will be come Friday night.”

The JackJumpers are set to head into the semi-finals full of confidence following the 92-76 win over the Hawks which doubled as their fifth in a row.

Inside that hot streak was a win over Perth in the final round of the season – an 86-72 victory at MyState Bank Arena.

Bryce Cotton will return to the Wildcats line-up after missing the final game of the season through injury. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for NBL)

The Wildcats haven’t taken the court since that night but will welcome back NBL24 MVP Bryce Cotton after he missed the game with injury.

“We prepared for the last game like Bryce was playing so that probably helps (heading into Friday),” Fleming said.

“But he is obviously a serious scorer in the league and somebody we have to do a great job on. You are obviously not going to limit everything that he does but it’s going to be a 40-minute effort across all guys.”

Fleming confirmed Lee was Tasmania’s only injury concern heading into the game with Majok Deng available despite playing no minutes in his return match against the Hawks.

The JackJumpers and Wildcats clash tips off at 9.30pm on Friday before a game two meeting at MyState Bank Arena on Monday March 11 from 7.30pm.