NBL MVP Kevin Lisch is insisting he can return from injury in the Illawarra Hawks' semi-final series decider against Perth Wildcats.
The American star was initially ruled out for the rest of the playoffs after rolling his ankle badly in last Friday's game one loss to the Wildcats in Perth.
But coach Rob Beveridge says Lisch is adamant he'll be able to play game three in Perth this Friday after the Hawks rallied in his absence to win game two at home at the weekend.
"Kev told me yesterday he will be playing," said Beveridge on Tuesday.
"His ankle is still very bruised and swollen, but he'll definitely go to Perth. He'll continue to have physio over the next few days and he's the eternal optimist.
"In terms of mental toughness, Kev's right up there with anybody I've ever been around and he's telling me he'll play."
Lisch, who captured his first NBL MVP in 2012 while playing with the Wildcats, has been in the hands of Hawks physios Scott Muttdon and Mick Baines, stringently following their against-the-odds recovery plan.
"I'm not one who likes to sit back and wait, so I'm doing everything I possibly can to put myself in a position to play," Lisch said.
"There's still a lot of swelling and a limited range of motion, so I'll just have to wait and see how it feels on Friday."
The winner of Fridays decider will host the New Zealand Breakers in game one of the best-of-three grand final series on March 2.
Illawarra face the daunting task of ending a run of 23 straight losses in Wildcats country.
But their prospects of breaking the drought will be a lot brighter if their leading scorer and best defender makes a surprise comeback.
"If the game was tomorrow Kev would be no chance, but we're happy with the progress he's made and we'll certainly give him up until the last minute to prove his fitness," Muttdon said.
"He's such a professional..he does everything you ask and more, and if anyone can get himself right in such a short time it's him."
The Wildcats will be playing for a seventh championship if they overcome the Hawks, while Illawarra captured their only title in 2001.
Reigning champions New Zealand are seeking their fifth championship in six seasons after securing a 2-0 sweep of their semi-final series with minor premiers Melbourne United.
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