Canberra Capitals coach Paul Goriss will call on three players to fill the void left by Abigail Wehrung after the guard's WNBL finals hopes were shattered by injury.
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Wehrung was ruled out for the next eight weeks on Tuesday morning just hours before she was named in the WNBL team of the week for her sublime 18 points in 20 minutes last weekend.
Wehrung damaged ligaments in her ankle and she will miss the last two regular season games and a potential finals campaign if the Capitals can break their play-off drought.
Goriss will turn to Kate Gaze, Alice Coddington and Jazmon Gwathmey to shoulder Wehrung's workload in games against Adelaide on Thursday night and Townsville on Saturday night.
"We're not going to shy away from the fact that Abbey's injury is a blow to us," Goriss said.
"But we've covered without her or [Gaze] and Alice at different times this year. As much as it is a blow, and he has been outstanding, it's not as if we don't have cover there.
"We've handled some adversity already this season so for me we have to push ahead as business as usual."
The Capitals are preparing for what looms as an emotional clash against the Adelaide Lightning at Tuggeranong on Thursday.
The game will likely be the last of popular captain Carly Wilson's career as she prepares to retire after more than 350 games and almost 20 years in the WNBL.
It also doubles as the Capitals last game at Tuggeranong Stadium as the club works towards shifting home games to the National Convention Centre next season.
"In a way there are some historical moments for the clubs this weekend," Goriss said.
"There is still a chance we could host a final there and that would be a really nice, a really good way to farewell Tuggeranong."
The Capitals are fifth on the ladder, but could finish as high as third if results go their way.
But the simple scenario is they need to win both games against Adelaide and Townsville to make the play-offs for the first time since 2011.
"It's going to be huge, we need these two wins to stay alive and make finals," said guard Lauren Mansfield.
"That's been our goal for the season so we know what we've got to do. We have to be ready, Adelaide is going to be tough."
The match will also help raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, with money to be donated for points scored in an ActewAGL All Stars match.
Former Wallaby and ACT Brumby Joe Roff is part of the ActewAGL side, with $300 to be donated for every three-pointer and $200 for every two-pointer in the half-time contest.
NBL Hall of Famer Cal Bruton, ex-Capitals Lucille Bailee and Linda Muir, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, University of Canberra vice-chancellor Deep Saini and ActewAGL marketing director Paul Walshe will be in the All Stars side.
WNBL ROUND 19
Thursday: Canberra Capitals v Adelaide Lightning at Tuggeranong Stadium, 7pm. Tickets available at the door.
Saturday: Canberra Capitals v Townsville Fire at Townsville Stadium, 8pm.
