Kelsey Griffin has erased any doubts about her fitness as the star's return bolsters the Canberra Capitals' push for a home semi-final.
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Griffin made a triumphant return from injury in Canberra's 89-75 win over the Perth Lynx at the National Convention Centre on Wednesday night.
The league's reigning most valuable player had spent five weeks on the sideline following ankle and hamstring complaints.
But it mattered little as Griffin posted eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals as the Capitals hit form at the business end of the campaign.
Though the most important thing was the fact she got through a near 22-minute shift unscathed.
It is a huge boost for the Capitals as coach Paul Goriss looks to secure a top two finish with Canberra now level with the Melbourne Boomers on 13 wins with two matches remaining.
Now clashes with Sydney and Adelaide to round out the regular season seem far bigger than they perhaps did even a week ago.
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"There's still a top two spot on the line, and just gaining momentum," Goriss said.
"It's an interesting one. You get momentum and then have the FIBA break, and who knows what's going to happen after that.
"Having some momentum rolling into that is definitely a positive for us, we're playing well at the right time.
"Every win is important right now in this league, because it is so tight. As we have seen throughout the season, anyone can beat anyone.
"We celebrate every win we can because it's a tough league, and when we're down in numbers, I'm just super happy for the girls.
"I know the past two weeks at practice have been tough ones, and to come out the other side and put three good efforts together, full credit to them."
The Capitals got off to a flyer in the opening quarter with Marianna Tolo and Maddison Rocci playing starring roles, with the latter scoring 17 points - just two shy of the career-high she set this past Sunday.
The Lynx clawed their way back into the contest during the second stanza despite a Kia Nurse barrage as the Canadian import posted her first 12 points of the game.
But they had no answer for Tolo and Griffin's poise as the Capitals surged towards their third consecutive win.
Griffin's return adds much-needed depth to the roster with Keely Froling sidelined with facial fractures - which in turn has allowed Goriss to get quality minutes out of Alex Delaney as a starter.
"[Griffin] is a great leader. She is always good from the sideline, even when she wasn't playing," Rocci said.
"She would always just boost us that little bit more even when she wasn't on court. Her and Tolo together are just amazing, so to have those two leaders, it just gets us over the line.
"It's been a good opportunity for [our younger players] to step up. Having eight players gave them an opportunity to come out and play and do what they can.
"To see them come out and do what they can is really good for our team."
This game served as more than just basketball with the Capitals raising $3800 for the bushfire relief appeal with pledges from Nurse and Griffin, alongside wife Erin, still to follow.
AT A GLANCE
WNBL round 12: CANBERRA CAPITALS 89 (Marianna Tolo 22, Kia Nurse 20, Maddison Rocci 17) bt PERTH LYNX 75 (Marena Whittle 18, Katie Ebzery 16, Ariel Atkins 13) at National Convention Centre. Crowd: 1361.