The 32-year-old fears "all signs pointed to a low-grade hamstring tear" suffered at training in what would be a major blow to the defending champions ahead of the finals.

But Griffin hopes the latest setback during an injury-riddled stint in Canberra is a result of neural tightness which would allow her to make a comeback this summer.

Neural tissue tension is an abnormal physiological response from the nervous system that limits range of motion.

Griffin was slated to return from a high ankle sprain on limited minutes in Canberra's clash with the Melbourne Boomers at the National Convention Centre on Friday night.

But now the league's reigning most valuable player award winner's chances of featuring again this season hinge on a diagnosis from the club's doctor and physiotherapist.

Griffin is refusing to give up hope of returning to the court this season to fuel third-placed Canberra's title tilt.

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"That's my plan. If you called me this morning I would have been pretty flat," Griffin said.

"But after that circuit I did, I could just feel my muscle activating better and everything going as it should. I really have no idea what's going on.

"It wasn't looking great [on Tuesday] night, but we don't know, basically. I have a tendency to have neural tightness on my right side, so I was really hopeful.

"I did some testing [on Wednesday] morning and all signs pointed to a very low-grade hamstring tear.

"I did a circuit that had a lot of isometrics and activation in it, and I was able to do all of my functional testing. That's where we're at at the moment.

"I have an appointment [with the team doctor] first thing in the morning, and I'm going to do some hamstring testing after that.

"We'll know more if it is truly neural. Originally we weren't going to bother getting scans because all of my neural stuff was negative, so I don't know if that's now a path we would go down.

"I'm just waiting to hear back."

The Capitals have faltered in Griffin's absence, dropping three of their past five games with back-to-back losses coming against the league's bottom two sides.

It has exposed a chink in Canberra's armour as they brace for a finals campaign without the depth they boasted in their run to a drought-breaking title last season.

Capitals coach Paul Goriss will ease Griffin back into the fold - provided she is passed fit - as Canberra prepare for a hectic schedule.

The Capitals will play four games in the space of 10 days from Friday.