Wildcats Rally With 17-0 Run to Overpower Breakers in Auckland

The Perth Wildcats snatched their first win of the NBL26 season with a stunning fourth-quarter surge, overturning a 12-point deficit to defeat the New Zealand Breakers 89–78 at Spark Arena on Saturday night.

The game turned on its head in a matter of minutes. After New Zealand stormed out of the blocks in the final term with a 15–0 run that pushed them 12 points clear, Perth answered emphatically with 17 straight points of their own. The Wildcats’ defence clamped down, their stars delivered in the clutch, and development player Jaron Rillie, son of coach John, iced the contest with the first five points of his NBL career, including a memorable three-pointer.

It was the defining moment of a match both sides desperately needed to win. The Breakers had dropped their opening two fixtures, while Perth were still smarting from a shock home loss to Tasmania. In the end, the Wildcats’ composure and resilience under pressure proved decisive.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr was the anchor, finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in a commanding performance. Dylan Windler was outstanding at both ends, posting 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Kristian Doolittle added 16 points, six boards, and three assists. Despite shooting a woeful 6-of-35 from long range, two of those makes came in the final minute from Doolittle and Rillie to seal the result.

The Wildcats’ fightback was all the more impressive given Mason Jones struggled badly, going scoreless from the field on 0-of-8 shooting. Instead, it was their frontcourt duo of Lual-Acuil and Windler, supported by Doolittle’s hustle, that carried the load. Bench spark Ben Henshall also played a vital role, scoring eight quick points in the first quarter to help Perth to an early lead.

For the Breakers, the wait for a first win of the season continues. Parker Jackson-Cartwright battled through rib soreness to top-score with 18 points and five assists, while teenage Next Star Karim Lopez enjoyed one of his best outings with 16 points, seven rebounds, and both of his team’s made three-pointers in the first half. Returning guard Izayah Le’afa caught fire in the second half, hitting four triples in a 14-point display, and briefly looked like the hero when he helped fuel New Zealand’s fourth-quarter run. But the Breakers faltered when the game was there to be taken, finishing 8-of-32 from deep as a team.

The match was a rollercoaster. Perth led by as many as nine in the third quarter before Le’afa’s long-range shooting cut the margin back to three at the last break. Then came New Zealand’s burst to start the fourth, highlighted by a Sean Bairstow three-pointer and consecutive Le’afa daggers. But just when it seemed the Breakers would break their season duck, Perth responded with ruthless efficiency. Windler and Lual-Acuil powered the surge before Doolittle and Rillie added the exclamation marks.

The win eases the pressure on Perth and gives coach John Rillie confidence that his side can still execute late in hostile environments. For the Breakers, sitting at 0–3, the problems are mounting. With Sam Mennenga still sidelined and Jackson-Cartwright hampered, they face a difficult road ahead.

The Wildcats return home to RAC Arena on Thursday night to face the Illawarra Hawks, while New Zealand travel again to meet the Sydney Kings on Saturday in desperate need of a breakthrough.

Final score: Perth Wildcats 89 defeated New Zealand Breakers 78.