In-form Perth Wildcats forward Nick Kay is backing his housemate Mitch Norton to recover in time to play in this season's NBL finals..
Norton will miss the rest of the regular season after tearing his left calf during Sunday's 88-68 demolition of the Sydney Kings.
Three wins on the trot have catapulted the Wildcats back into second spot with four games to go.
Three of the Wildcats' final four games are at home, starting with Friday night's clash with the Illawarra Hawks.
Norton has been a key player for the Wildcats this season, and his absence will increase the pressure on skipper Damian Martin, who has battled his own calf issues this year.
Kay lives with Norton, and says the 25-year-old is in good hands.
"Mitch has had a few injuries over the years, and he always bounces back really well," Kay said.
"I've got high hopes, a lot of the boys do as well (that he will be back this season). He puts in the work. Normally when you put in the work, good things happen.
"He's got some good support there at home. His partner's been really helping him out, having the ice there all the time, keeping him on track with it all.
"I'm looking after his pup while he's lying on the couch icing."
Perth's hopes of qualifying for a 33rd straight finals appearance was on thin ice after they went through a patch of eight losses in 10 games.
But wins over Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney have boosted their title hopes.
Kay has played a key role in the resurgence.
He tallied 18 points and 13 rebounds against Melbourne, 16 points and 10 rebounds against Adelaide, and 16 points and 10 rebounds against Sydney.
Kay said the team's greater defensive intensity had been crucial in the recent wins.
