Wildcats dominate Kings in Sydney

Bryce Cotton strengthened his hold on a fifth MVP as the Perth Wildcats celebrated the 500th NBL game of captain Jesse Wagstaff with a dominant 104-97 road victory over the Sydney Kings to take third place.

Cotton finished with 30 points, five steals, four assists and three rebounds in direct contrast to Kings guard Jaylen Adams who got in early foul trouble to take him completely out of the game.

He had no impact all afternoon finishing with one point in 14 and-a-half minutes before fouling out a minute into the fourth quarter.

Any chance of still finding a way into the top two but most likely third position went up for grabs at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday and the two teams couldn’t have had different preparations.

The Wildcats dug deep for a win at home over the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Friday night to shake off two losses at RAC Arena while the Kings were waiting having not played since losing on the same floor to Adelaide last Friday.

It was the Wildcats who came out on a mission in front of 14,112 fans, though, and put up 32 points to lead by 11 by quarter-time.

They were still on top 56-48 at the half on the back 13 offensive rebounds and 14 second chance points.

Alex Toohey had 17 points in the first half and 23 for the game for the Kings, but the Wildcats kept having the answers including Cotton with two big threes to close the third quarter and the first six points to start the fourth.

Perth cruised to the seven-point win to move into third place at 17-11 with a commanding four-quarter performance on the road.

The 'Cats finished with 23 offensive rebounds for 23 second chance points along with scoring 24 points from the 15 Kings turnovers while only turning it over seven times.

On top of what Cotton did, Kristian Doolittle had 16 points and eight rebounds, Dylan Windler 14 points and five steals, Tai Webster 12 points and three assists, Keanu Pinder 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Ben Henshall 11 points and four boards.

Wagstaff is just the fourth player to reach the 500-game milestone as a one-club player, and Wildcats coach John Rillie was quick to praise the selfless skipper.

"He's a superstar in his role," Rillie said.

"He makes himself a valuable person. Not player - person. Everyone sees him play and all the accolades and six championships.

"But the person - to get out of bed every day and to go about his business the way he does, and then embrace his teammates - it's invaluable.

"That's what makes him the champion and the legend he is at the club."

The Kings are now fourth at 16-12 and could end the round fifth with a game on the road to the Illawarra Hawks to finish.

It was only going 30/35 at the foul line that stopped the final margin being more than seven with Kouat Noi finishing with 24 points on 15/15 at the stripe with Cam Oliver adding 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Xavier Cooks eight points, 12 boards, four assists and three steals.

"We're a little under the bar right now, and the ball's in our court to learn and do better," Kings coach Brian Goorjian said.

"I still like us. I still think we're very capable. We got a kick in the teeth tonight.

"But we're in there, and we've got one more to go. We could still finish top four. We play the best team on their home court next week."

Despite the Wildcats having played at home on Friday night and the Kings sitting at home waiting having not played since last Friday, it was the visitors starting better to lead 18-4 halfway through the first quarter.

Dylan Windler had made a couple of threes while Ben Henshall and Kristian Doolittle completed three-point plays, and a late three from Bryce Cotton ensured the 'Cats were leading 32-21 by the end of one with 10 free throws to four.

Alex Toohey sparked the Kings with consecutive three-pointers to open the second quarter but Cotton answered with Perth's first seven points of the term to keep his team up double-figures.

The Wildcats maintained that advantage most of the rest of the half leading by as much as 13 but two late buckets just before the half from Toohey saw him go to 17 points as the Kings cut Perth's lead to 56-48.

The Wildcats had that lead back out to 13 with a 9-4 start to the second half as well before Tai Webster had a significant impact not only with his energy and playmaking, but also scoring Perth's next seven points.

Cotton made another triple right on three quarter-time to keep the Wildcats leading 85-74 before he also scored the first four points of the last period. Combine that with Jaylen Adams fouling out and the 'Cats were never headed to end up winning by seven.

Both teams now have one game remaining to close the regular season with the Kings away to the league-leading Illawarra Hawks on Friday while later that same evening the Wildcats will be at home to the Adelaide 36ers.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2024/25

SYDNEY KINGS 97 (Noi 24, Toohey 23, Oliver 22)

PERTH WILDCATS 104 (Cotton 30, Doolittle 16, Windler 14)

BOX SCORE