The Sydney Kings say they won’t target Perth Wildcats star Bryce Cotton’s injured thumb if he is cleared to play in today’s clash at Qudos Bank Arena.

Cotton missed Perth’s last match against New Zealand after damaging the thumb late in the previous game against the Breakers.

He trained yesterday and will be assessed at a shoot-around this morning before the Wildcats decide whether he is fit to play.

Sunday Dech will come into the team if Cotton is ruled out.

The injury is on Cotton’s shooting hand but Kings captain Kevin Lisch said there had been no thoughts about being more aggressive on the NBL MVP if he takes to the court.

“We’re going out to play basketball, not to injure guys,” Lisch said.

“I hope he’s healed up because he’s a great piece of the NBL and a great reason why this league has grown so much.

“The more we can have guys like that out on the court the better.

“Obviously we want to win and want to be physical.

“But we don’t want to hurt or injury anyone.

“He’s a big part of their team and can do so many different things but they’ve also proven that they can win with just about anybody on court this year.

“It’s a case of us not getting too focused on who is playing or who is not playing.”

The Kings beat Perth twice last season despite finishing seventh on the ladder.

Lisch battled a calf injury last season but said those wins gave the club confidence they were on the right path.

Perth are on top of the ladder with a 10-1 record while the Kings are third at 5-4. But a quirk in the draw means this will be the first time the teams have met this season and the Wildcats are yet to test themselves against former NBA star Andrew Bogut.

Sydney are also yet to play fourth-placed Brisbane and their losses have been to Melbourne (second) and Adelaide (fifth). But Lisch said the ladder was irrelevant at this point of the season.

“I tend to not get too caught up in the ladder this early in the season,” Lisch said.

“Especially when we’re so concerned and focused on getting better ourselves.

“The more you start trying to crunch numbers or do that stuff, the more trouble you get into.

“It’s more simplistic and about ‘here’s what’s in front of us. Let’s get better’.”