Canberra Capitals centre Lauren Jackson admits she's unlikely to play both games this weekend as the "stars align" for a push towards the WNBL playoffs.
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After playing her first competitive game in 11 months after a serious knee injury, the four-time Olympian is set to miss the trip to north Queensland for Friday night's clash with the top of the table Townsville Fire.
That will allow the Australian Opals great to be fresh for Sunday's crucial game with the Dandenong Rangers at the AIS Arena.
The Capitals and the Rangers have an identical 6-7 record to sit fifth and six respectively on the WNBL ladder, with whoever wins having the edge in the season split.
Jackson hasn't been completely ruled out of playing in Townsville, with a decision set to be made after training on Tuesday.
"I'm not sure, I can't do two games in a week," Jackson said. "With the flying and stuff, my knee is swelling still.
"I'm going to train tonight and do a little bit tomorrow and I'll see how it pulls up, but I'm not 100 per cent sure. If I feel great, we have to consider taking me."
Jackson would be a valuable addition to the Capitals against a Fire team that have an impressive 10-2 record and a strong presence inside featuring Jackson's former Opals teammate Suzy Batkovic.
Jackson has been sidelined since suffering the injury while playing in China in January.
She returned off the bench for the Capitals in their 73-70 win against the Adelaide Lightning in Adelaide on December 18, chipping in with 13 points in 15 minutes of court time.
"Man, it was amazing, I didn't think I was going to score a point," Jackson said.
"I think I ruffled a few feathers by saying I wanted to play and I was very head-strong about it.
"I felt great and I was over the moon on Saturday knowing I had finally played a game. I'm just so happy that I was back on the court."
Jackson didn't play in the team's game the following night against the West Coast Waves in Perth to allow her knee to recover.
She is willing to be a role player and help out defensively alongside MVP candidate Abby Bishop.
The Capitals won back-to-back games before the Christmas break to give themselves some momentum heading into the second half of the season.
They are a game behind the Sydney Uni Flames (7-6) and the Melbourne Boomers (8-7) in the race for the final two playoff positions.
However, the Rangers are also starting to pick up the pace after the addition of Opals star Penny Taylor to their ranks.
"It's a huge weekend," Jackson said. "We really need to start winning a lot of games consecutively, so hopefully the girls can pull off a big win up there.
"There's no doubt it's going to be hard, but Dandenong are playing so well at the moment. Hopefully our stars are about to align."
WNBL: Friday: Townsville Fire v Canberra Capitals at Townsville RSL Stadium, 8pm. Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Dandenong Rangers at AIS Arena, 1pm.
