Basketball: Blow for Wildcats with Knight to miss first month

Matthew Knight holds the ball against the Adelaide 36ers. Photo / Getty Images

The Perth Wildcats' NBL title defence has received an early blow, with star centre Matt Knight set to miss the first month of the season with a shoulder injury.

Knight suffered a dislocation of his right shoulder in a training incident on Wednesday.

Although he doesn't need an operation, he'll be out of action for the next two months.

It's a bitter blow for Knight, who underwent surgery on his troublesome left shoulder during the off-season.

The Wildcats have signed former Melbourne and Adelaide veteran Lucas Walker as an injury replacement for Knight.

Walker, who averaged 5.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game with Adelaide last season, is expected to play the first seven matches of the upcoming campaign while Knight recovers.

The Wildcats begin their season away to Brisbane on October 6, before facing off against Cairns, NZ, Illawarra (twice), and Melbourne in a testing start to 2016-17.

If all goes to plan, Knight will return for the November 13 clash with NZ at Perth Arena.