Henshall shines as Wildcats go down to Phoenix

The Wildcats were left to rue a disappointing third quarter which turned a three-point lead into a 23-point deficit on the way to a 110-99 defeat.

The emergence of WA-raised teenager Henshall, who finished with a team-high 24 points and five rebounds, was a big positive to take out of the match.

Henshall didn't get on the court in the win over Tasmania but made the most of his opportunity after fellow guards Tai Webster (lower leg) and Kyle Zunic (foot) were ruled out through injury, playing more than 24 minutes and hitting nine of 14 from the field.

The hero of Friday night's win Jordan Usher, new import Kristian Doolittle and big man Keanu Pinder all got into early foul trouble which hurt Perth's chances.

Pinder, one of his team's shining lights with 14 points and five rebounds, fouled out early in the final quarter.

The Wildcats at least finished strongly, outscoring their opponents 38-26 in the last with development players Michael Harris (nine points) and Dontae Russo-Nance (four) doing some good things.

In just his second game since arriving in Perth during the week, Doolittle got the opportunity to start and had seven points and three rebounds in a little over 21 minutes on the court.

It was a new-look starting five with veteran Corey Webster replacing his younger brother Tai.

The Wildcats jumped out to an 11-2 lead, highlighted by a corner triple from Doolittle who was also having an impact defensively.

Webster's injury opened the door for Henshall to get some court time and he didn't disappoint, landing an impressive dunk late in the first quarter after a lookaway pass from Bryce Cotton.

Henshall also hit a pair of clutch three-pointers in the second term to help give Perth a 49-46 lead at half-time.

The home side went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter before back-to-back buckets from Pinder and Henshall slowed the momentum briefly amid a 38-point term from the Phoenix which proved to be game-defining.

The Wildcats return home on Monday ahead of Friday night's Pink Game against Adelaide at RAC Arena.