Adelaide's Nicole Seekamp is battling to be fit for the WNBL finals after she joined Jenna O'Hea in missing Australia's Olympic qualifying tournament this week through injury.
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Seekamp hurt an ankle in the Lightning's final round 75-74 home win over Perth Lynx on Thursday, but like Opals captain O'Hea (wrist) may still play some part of the WNBL finals series.
They will be helped by the fact the finals don't start until February 16, because of a break for the Opals' Olympic qualifying tournament in France.
Defending WNBL champions Canberra (15-6) secured second spot and home advantage for their semi-finals series with Melbourne Boomers (15-6) with a 73-71 home win over fourth-placed Adelaide (12-9).
But all four finalists face uncharted territory because of the break.
"It's a bit of a weird one," said Cheryl Chambers, coach of minor premiers Southside Flyers.
"I've spoken to a few coaches too, trying to pick their brains on how they'd manage it."
Canberra rallied from a ten-point deficit to beat Adelaide on Saturday, with Kia Nurse bagging 28 points and nine rebounds for the Caps.
"Knowing what Canberra did for us last year in the semi-final and grand final series, we really wanted to lock away a home court advantage," Caps' coach Paul Goriss said.
Canberra stayed on track to become the first team since Townsville in 2016 to win back-to-back titles, notching a fourth straight victory.
"It's unfortunate that we have to break for two weeks and who knows what will happen after that, momentum now is kind of dead and gone," Goriss said.
"It's a whole new season when we come back."
American Brianna Turner pulled down 24 rebounds in addition to scoring 16 points for Adelaide against Perth.
Southside (17-4) finished their regular season schedule with a comfortable 78-61 home win over Sydney Uni Flames (7-14), and will next face the Lightning in the semis.
Sara Blicavs showed good form before flying out with the Opals, making all eight of her field goal attempts and tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Third-placed Melbourne strolled to a 104-75 home win over Perth (8-13), with Opal Cayla George falling just short of a triple-double after tallying 24 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.
In other games not featuring the semi-finalists, Sydney scored a 78-68 victory over Bendigo on Friday, but the Spirit (5-16) rebounded to win 89-69 at Townsville (5-16) on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
