Michael Frazier II ruled out of Perth Wildcats’ season opener with leg injury

Perth will start the new NBL season the same way they finished the last one - hampered by injuries to key players - after import Michael Frazier II was ruled out of Friday night’s opener.

Frazier II will miss his chance for an NBL debut in the RAC Arena clash with Adelaide after failing to recover from a leg injury.

The US shooting guard was seen icing his quad after practice on Thursday and pulled up sore this morning.

Frazier II joins point guard Mitch Norton (knee) and small forward Todd Blanchfield (knee) as key members of the Wildcats rotation on the sidelines, with centre Matt Hodgson also under a cloud entering the 36ers clash.

Perth has listed Hodgson as a game-time decision. The recruit battled a knee injury during pre-season and is awaiting the birth of his first child.

The Wildcats remain a short-priced $1.35 favourite despite the injury blows and the hot pre-season form of Adelaide, who were crowned Blitz champions.