Basketball: Lisch asking to play decider

Kevin Lisch of the Hawks lays up the ball. Photo / Getty Images

NBL MVP Kevin Lisch is insisting he can return from injury in the Illawarra Hawks' semifinal series decider against Perth Wildcats.

The American star was initially ruled out for the rest of the playoffs after rolling his ankle badly in last Friday's game one loss to the Wildcats in Perth.

But coach Rob Beveridge says Lisch is adamant he'll be able to play game three in Perth this Friday after the Hawks rallied in his absence to win game two at home at the weekend.

He says Lisch has told him his ankle is still bruised and swollen but he will play.