NBL26 Play-In Game Match Report: Wildcats vs United

Finals intensity was evident from the outset, with more than two minutes passing before Chris Goulding opened the scoring with a mid-range jumper for United before adding another as Melbourne raced to an early 6–0 lead.

The Wildcats settled through Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., who floated in Perth’s first basket, before David Duke Jr. sparked the offence with back-to-back trips to the free throw line, converting three of four.

Kristian Doolittle found his range from deep with a three that bounced high above the rim before dropping, and Jesse Wagstaff made an immediate impact off the bench, forcing a steal that led to a Dylan Windler finish.

Perth seized momentum midway through the term when Doolittle drilled another three to push the Wildcats in front and force a Melbourne timeout.

Dontae Russo-Nance added a corner three as the Wildcats began to find their rhythm, while Lual-Acuil dominated defensively with a key rebound and block before combining with Doolittle for a three-point play.

United responded late through Tyson Walker, who hit a three and then drove to the basket for a buzzer-beater finish, but Perth held a 22–19 lead at quarter time.

Melbourne opened the second period with urgency, quickly levelling the scores at 23–23 before Elijah Pepper restored the Wildcats’ advantage with a three.

Both sides traded baskets as the contest tightened, with the scores locked at 29–29 midway through the quarter. Finals physicality was evident as Wagstaff became entangled in a brief tussle, though play quickly continued.

United began to find offensive flow late in the half, with Jesse Edwards finishing a reverse jam that forced a Wildcats timeout with two minutes remaining.

Despite a quick response from Lual-Acuil out of the break, Melbourne extended its lead to double figures in the closing stages. Doolittle and Lual-Acuil combined for a late bucket to steady Perth, but United carried a 53–44 advantage into halftime.



The Wildcats emerged from the break with renewed intensity, as Dylan Windler and Doolittle scored early baskets to ignite the crowd.

Windler was forced to the bench after picking up his fourth foul, but Perth continued to build momentum behind the presence of Lual-Acuil, who was highly active on both ends of the floor.

A huge Doolittle three-point shot sent RAC Arena into a roar and gave the Wildcats a one-point lead, forcing United into a timeout.

The contest remained tightly balanced, with the scores locked at 60–60 before Lual-Acuil delivered back-to-back baskets to lift the Red Army once again.

Perth’s defensive pressure increased late in the quarter, highlighted by a powerful Lual-Acuil block and two Doolittle free throws.

The Wildcats closed the period with a 67–63 lead, setting up a decisive final quarter.

With the season on the line, the intensity lifted again in the final term as Melbourne struck first before Wagstaff finished a composed basket off a Doolittle assist.

David Duke Jr. produced a strong drive to the rim to extend Perth’s lead, before Windler took over the game.

After returning from earlier foul trouble, Windler converted two free throws, stripped the ball defensively and then buried a long-range three in a rapid sequence that forced United to call timeout as the Wildcats surged ahead 81–65 with five minutes remaining.

Perth’s momentum continued as Windler, Ben Henshall and Lual-Acuil combined for a highlight alley-oop dunk that brought the Red Army to its feet.

Windler remained red-hot from beyond the arc, drilling a corner three before adding two more free throws to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to 21 points.

With the result beyond doubt, both teams emptied their benches in the final minutes as Perth closed out a statement 95–77 victory to keep their NBL26 Finals campaign alive.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. led the charge with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Kristian Doolittle delivered another influential all-round performance with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists. 

Dylan Windler proved decisive in the final quarter, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

BOX SCORES

The Perth Wildcats advance to the NBL26 Playoffs and will take on the Sydney Kings in the three-game series set to tip off in Sydney on Wednesday. 

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THE HUNGRY JACK'S NBL26 PLAYOFFS
Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings
Saturday, March 14 - 8pm AEDT
RAC Arena

General Public On Sale: Tues 10 March, 12:00pm