DrinkWise game preview - Round 19: Wildcats v Phoenix

The Wildcats welcome back speedster Tai Webster from a hamstring injury, while import Dylan Windler is back from an eye issue.

Webster hasn’t played since mid-December, with Windler missing the past two matches.

It will be the first time since November 17 that Wildcats coach John Rillie has had a full roster at his disposal.

“His dynamic playmaking ability and his athleticism allows him to punish aggressive defenders, get full-court quickly but then just live in the paint and create a lot of opportunities,” Rillie said about Webster’s return.

“On the other end of the floor, defensively, he’s a good athletic guard that can pressure the ball and be very disruptive at that end of the floor. I’m looking forward to him being back in the line up and bringing that element that no-one else on our roster has.”

Rillie praised his team’s younger brigade for their work “in the trenches” while the likes of Windler, Webster, Bryce Cotton, Keanu Pinder and Kristian Doolittle had been sidelined during various parts of the season.

“The likes of (David) Okwera, (Izan) Almansa, (Ben) Henshall and (Elijah) Pepper - the young group that I talk about all the time - have been in the trenches with us all season. they understand that they’ve gained our confidence. When Tai and Dylan are out on the floor, we are not needing them to be superheroes. They can ease themselves back into it,” he said.

Just percentage separates the four-placed Phoenix and fifth-ranked Wildcats, who both have 15-11 records with three games remaining in the regular season.

The Wildcats face a tough weekend double-header, finishing with a road clash against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday.

“There are a lot of teams competing for the six last spots and it is still anyone’s game. There’s spots to be had. We’ve got three games, will put our best foot forward and see where we lie. It’s certainly (about) details. It comes down to certain plays,” captain Jesse Wagstaff, who plays his 500th game as a Wildcat on Sunday, said.

Friday night's clash will be part of the NBL's third annual Champion Pride Round.

The Wildcats will turn The Jungle rainbow with themed seating, Champion's rainbow pride flag on-court and player jerseys, along with several other activations on game night.

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs SEM Phoenix

When: 6.30pm WST Friday 31 January

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Opposition watch

South East Melbourne have turned their season around in remarkable fashion under new coach Josh King.

From a 0-5 start, the Phoenix are now 15-11 and sitting four on the ladder.

First year big man Matt Hurt is firming for the All-NBL First Team candidate, averaging 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and shooting at 56 per cent from the field.

The Phoenix come into the match in good form, having won four of their last five games.

Last time they met

The Wildcats defeated the Phoenix 97-84 last time the two sides met, back on November 15 at RAC Arena.

Bryce Cotton starred with 33 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Dylan Windler chipped in with 20 points and Izan Almansa (nine points and nine rebounds) fell just shy of a double-double.

Matt Hurt was the best for the visitors with a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double.