"He should be OK": Kell, Ili in mix for Game 5

Trey Kell III could return to the Illawarra lineup for Game 5 of the Championship Series, with the Hawks sweating on the fitness of their star guard. 

The All-NBL First Team member sat out Wednesday night’s game in Melbourne due to a knee injury, but Justin Tatum says he’s in the mix for the series decider. 

“Trey should be OK by Sunday … should be … we want to make sure that he’s 100 per cent or enough to go,” Tatum said following the Hawks’ Game 4 win at John Cain Arena. 

“He’s a competitor and I’m sure at the end of the day nobody wants not to play in a Championship game.”

Tatum said Kell III was close to playing on Wednesday night. 

“Extremely. Extremely. But at the end of the day if I can’t get close to 100 per cent effort, I don’t want nobody using anything as a crutch. 

“We’ve just got to go to the next man up.” 

Shea Ili also missed Game 4, his second straight match on the sidelines due to concussion symptoms. 

United will no doubt take an ultra-conservative approach with the Defensive Player of the Year, particularly given his history with concussions.

“Shili’s a chance, but he’s got to get some tick-offs and different things,” Dean Vickerman said.

Sam Froling suffered what appeared to be a serious achilles injury during the second quarter, a devastating blow for the Hawks big. 

Illawarra hosts Melbourne in Game 5 on Sunday, live on ESPN, 10 and 10 Play from 2.30pm AEDT.