The guard missed Tuesday's loss to Melbourne United with a hand injury.

Goorjian said Grida's absence had impacted on their defensive structure, with a red-hot Chris Goulding and Jock Landale guiding United to a 102-87 victory.

"He [Grida] won't play in Adelaide. I don't see that happening. He's one of toughest kids I've been around and I think we'll get him down the back stretch. His energy gives us a big hand," the Hawks coach said.

"And some might say, 'what are you talking about'? But I thought the last three games we had gone to another level defensively with him.

"And it was really disappointing, I kept looking around thinking who do you put on Goulding?

"And my hands were tied. And he's somebody that I sure would have liked to have a go there."

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Goorjian believes having Grida available would have also had a positive effect on teammate Justin Simon.

"When [Deng] Adel departed and we brought Grida into it, he hasn't made a perimeter shot and he hasn't helped us offensively.

"But on the defensive side of the floor, he's guarded that wing player and it's enabled Justin to guard the ball," he said.

"And Justin marking Goulding wasn't a good match up in Melbourne last time and it wasn't a good match up on Tuesday night."

The defeat by United was a huge blow for the Hawks in their quest for the NBL playoffs.

Illawarra fell to fifth on the ladder, behind the Kings, who play the Breakers on Thursday night in Auckland.

Illawarra's trip to Adelaide comes among a logjam of home games for the Hawks.

"I've looked at this whole back stretch and I've thrown it to the guys that we're under pressure," Goorjian said.

"And I've said this before, but it's a new, young team and it's very important for us right now to be playing games of importance.

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"I know we wanted a better game against United and we wanted to try win the game.

"But I'm evaluating the players and I want them to know these games are pressure games.

"We need to step up and perform under pressure.

"Going to Adelaide, there will be a great crowd down there so it's going to be tough.

"But the defensive end of the floor is huge for us, rebounding is huge for us.

"And those two things on Tuesday night were the reasons for the loss.

"But those things are also key against Adelaide to turn the tables."

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