Wildcats kick off NBL Blitz against Breakers

The Wildcats arrived in Queensland on Friday morning after a successful nine-day trip to Japan.

It’s been an unbeaten pre-season so far for last season’s semi-finalists, including three victories over Japanese B-League outfits Nagoya, Chiba and Yokohama.

“Obviously playing the three games, it was great for us to get on the floor, but also to get reacquainted with each other, it was great stuff,” Wildcats head coach John Rillie said.

Rillie has used the five pre-season games so far to give opportunities to every available player on his roster, something he feels will be beneficial ahead of his team’s NBL25 opener against South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena on Friday 20 September during the inaugural HoopsFest.

“The beauty is everyone got to play,” Rillie said.

“You’ve got to make the most of the situation in front of you and that’s what everyone has done.

“We’ve got some good stuff out of the first five games we’ve played.”

Former NBA star and new recruit Dylan Windler is closing in on a debut for the Wildcats after arriving with a minor ankle issue.

“He’s just day-to-day right now,” Rillie said.

“He’ll practice on Saturday and as long as he gets through that, that’s the next step and a little bit closer to being out on the floor in a game situation.”

As for what he wants to get out of the Blitz?

“We want to keep growing as a team,” Rillie said.

“Over the course of the Blitz we’ll start to settle in and look at some different line-ups and rotations, especially with Jesse Wagstaff and Dylan Windler probably being available.

The Breakers have a new coach in Petteri Koponen and several new faces including former NBA players Matt Mooney and Freddie Gillespie.

Sunday’s clash kicks off at 1.30pm WST and will be streamed live on Kayo like every game of the Blitz.

Perth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers

When: 1.30pm WST Sunday 8 September

Where: Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium, Gold Coast

Watch live on Kayo

Wildcats fixtures - NBL Blitz 2024, Gold Coast

Sunday 8 September (1.30pm): v New Zealand Breakers

Tuesday 10 September (5.30pm): v Illawarra Hawks

Thursday 12 September (5.30pm): v Cairns Taipans

*all times WST