Rob Beveridge clashes with former protege Jesse Wagstaff in the classic tale of David and Goliath in the NBL Finals.

Dandenong took on Perth Lynx to open their WNBL semi final series at Dandenong on Saturday night.

Cairns Taipans import Tony Mitchell has been granted a 24-hour extension to appeal his one-year suspension for striking a referee with the ball during the NBL semi finals.

It's been seven long years since the Illawarra Hawks last contested an NBL grand final series. But after stunning the Adelaide 36ers in Adelaide, they are now back in the big dance as history beckons.

The Philadelphia 76ers have officially ruled out forward Ben Simmons for the remainder of his rookie NBA season after tests revealed his broken right foot was not fully healed.

Basketball has plummeted into an abyss, in terms of attractiveness to Australian women, compared to the sporting steam train launched by the behemoth AFL.

By Peter Mitchell, AAP US Correspondent

Dandenong Rangers will again turn to Amelia Todhunter to try to slow down Perth star Sami Whitcomb in the WNBL semi-finals.

Melbourne United will have a new coach next NBL season after the club elected not to re-sign Dean Demopoulos.

SYDNEY, Feb 23 AAP - Speculation is mounting that Australian NBA star Andrew Bogut is about to be traded, with title contenders the Boston Celtics a favoured destination.

The Los Angeles Lakers now belong to Earvin Johnson, and there's nothing magic about it.

Magic Johnson says it's a dream come true and will work tirelessly to get his beloved Los Angeles back to the top of the NBA.

The Perth Wildcats will get a chance to defend their NBL title, winning through to the grand final with a 74-66 victory over the Cairns Taipans at the Perth Arena.

Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has backed away ever so slightly from his much-publicised comments this week that the Earth is flat.

Carly Wilson finished her decorated WNBL career on Saturday after 363 appearances over 18 seasons.

The oohs and aahs in the Smoothie King Center said it all.

Bendigo Spirit gave their home supporters a win to remember and did their Victorian sisters a major favour by beating Perth Lynx on Sunday.

Perth Wildcats skipper Damian Martin is confident Bryce Cotton won't be rattled one bit if Cairns target the star import in Monday night's NBL semi-final clash at Perth Arena.

Dandenong Rangers had a big win, now they need a favour from Bendigo Spirit on Sunday to claim second spot on the WNBL ladder.

If Jerome Randle and the Adelaide 36ers think they know what's coming for them against the Hawks in game two of the NBL play-offs, they may have underestimated just how hostile the Illawarra crowd will be.

The Capitals are determined to send club champions Marianna Tolo and Carly Wilson out on a winning note.

Dandenong Rangers will be fighting for home court advantage in the WNBL semi finals on Saturday night.

Canberra Capitals' WNBL finals hopes ended in heartbreaking circumstances on Thursday night.

Carly Wilson wants to finish her decorated WNBL career with a second championship at the Canberra Capitals.

Australia's Ben Simmons is expected to make his NBA debut with Philadelphia before the regular season ends in mid-April.

Anthony Davis is just 23 but he has made it clear he wants to take his New Orleans Pelicans to greatness, not depart and form a super team elsewhere.

Canberra Capitals coach Paul Goriss will call on three players to fill the void left by injured Abigail Wehrung.

Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova started as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 102-89, winning their first home game since star forward Jabari Parker got hurt.

Thon Maker and Matthew Dellavedova started as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 102-89, winning their first home game since star forward Jabari Parker got hurt.

It appears the chances of seeing Ben Simmons in a 76ers uniform this season are getting slimmer and slimmer.

Jerome Randle has become one of the superstars of the NBL and on Monday night he added his first NBL most valuable player award to his achievements.

Chris Goulding will rest his troublesome ankle after battling through this NBL season with Melbourne United.

Former Thunder fan favourite Kevin Durant rubbed salt in the wounds of a once-adoring crowd as he scored 34 points for the Warriors in his return to Oklahoma City.

The Rangers are into the finals but they have plenty of work to do.

Club hope to keep key US import duo, won't make any quick decisions on players or coach despite missing finals.

Perth have qualified for their 31st successive NBL finals series, holding out Melbourne 96-94 in the last game of the regular season.

Canberra is one step closer to its first WNBL playoff berth in six years after beating Bendigo.

Capitals premiership captain Lucille Bailie reflects on emotional 2003 title win ahead of 30th anniversary