A weary Jackson has been rested from this weekend's double-header in Queensland, paving the way to make her much-anticipated WNBL return in next week's clash with the Bulleen Boomers at the AIS Arena.

The Capitals' road trip got off to a rocky start when delayed flights out of Canberra threw the team's preparation into disarray.

It forced them to stay in Brisbane last night before arriving in Townsville after a two-hour flight on game day. Tomorrow they play Logan Thunder.

Consecutive victories would give the Capitals a 3-0 record and the perfect platform to launch their charge towards an eighth title.

Jackson is crucial to their hopes, arriving back in Australia last week after playing non-stop for the past 10 months, most recently for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA play-offs.

The Capitals beat the Sydney Uni Flames 74-61 without Jackson, but captain Jess Bibby believed they needed to back up that performance or risk being branded a one-player team.

''It's hard to say we've proved the critics wrong winning without 'LJ','' Bibby said. ''Sydney were down a couple of players as well, but if we can come back from Queensland with a three-and-zip record, that's a great start for us and a confidence boost for the rest of the group.

''I think we can compete with anybody, with or without LJ. She slots in seamlessly and that will happen next week.''

Jackson is regarded as one of the premier female basketballers in the world and will play three of the next four seasons with the Capitals on a deal reported to be worth about $1 million. The leading scorer in Olympic Games history played a starring role in the Capitals' last title success in 2009-10.

''She's the best player on the planet, so a lot of our stuff is going to go through her,'' Bibby said. ''LJ is going to come in and be a dominating factor, but I don't think there has been a team in the history of the game that has won a championship with one player.

''The strength of our team is what the rest of us can provide.''

Power forward Samantha Norwood, who was recruited from the West Coast Waves in the off-season, made the most of her increased playing time in Jackson's absence to finish with 10 points and five rebounds, while Bibby and fellow veteran Carly Wilson led the way offensively with 18 and 16 points respectively.

The Capitals will be searching for their first victory over the Fire in two seasons. Fire coach Chris Lucas has plenty of inside knowledge having previously been an assistant coach at the Capitals.

''They're going to be hungry because we knocked them off twice last year,'' Lucas said.

WNBL ROUND TWO

Tonight: Townsville Fire v Canberra Capitals at the Townsville RSL Stadium, 8pm.

Tomorrow: Logan Thunder v Canberra Capitals at Logan Metro, 8.30pm.