Perth Wildcats Edge Out Cairns in a Thrilling NBL Contest Marked by Late Drama

The Perth Wildcats showcased nerves of steel in a tense encounter, battling to a hard-fought 80-77 victory over the Cairns Taipans in a gripping NBL showdown at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night.

Led by dominant performances from Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Dylan Windler, the Wildcats demonstrated their championship intent by clawing back at key moments and closing out the game with composure and grit. The duo combined for a stunning 56 points, powering Perth to their third win of the season and solidifying their position as early contenders in the NBL26 campaign.

Lual-Acuil Jr and Windler Shine Bright

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr delivered a standout display, amassing 30 points and 10 rebounds, marking only the third time in his 134-game NBL career that he has reached the 30-point milestone. His leadership and consistency proved invaluable during crunch time.

Meanwhile, American forward Dylan Windler continued his scorching form, adding 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, shooting an impressive 11-of-15 from the field. His all-around contribution helped Perth stay within striking distance during the Taipans’ scoring surges.

“We knew we had to dig deep,” said Windler after the game. “Cairns pushed us to the edge, but our composure and teamwork got us through.”

A Game of Shifting Momentum

The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings. Perth stormed ahead with a 13-4 lead early in the opening quarter, only for the Taipans to rally and level scores at 23-23 by the first break. Cairns continued to ride that energy into the second quarter, stretching their lead to nine points before Perth clawed back to within two at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter, the Wildcats had edged ahead by one, setting up a tense final period. Windler’s early fourth-quarter burst gave Perth a brief five-point cushion, but the Taipans refused to back down.

When Reyne Smith put Cairns back in front with just over three minutes remaining, the home crowd roared in anticipation of a major upset. However, Lual-Acuil Jr had other plans—scoring six straight points to reclaim control before nailing a decisive put-back basket with just 12 seconds left, effectively sealing the game.

Despite a last-second heave from Andrew Andrews, which narrowly missed and could have forced overtime, the Wildcats held on for a dramatic three-point win.

Young Gun Jaron Rillie Impresses

Another highlight for Perth was the impressive showing from development player Jaron Rillie, son of head coach John Rillie. Trusted with key minutes, the young guard delivered six points, three rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes of action.

Remarkably, Perth outscored Cairns by 16 points while Rillie was on the floor. Across his first 41 NBL minutes, he now boasts a remarkable +62 plus-minus, signaling a bright future ahead.

Taipans Fight Hard Despite Loss

For the Taipans, Andrew Andrews led the scoring with 21 points and three assists, while Admiral Schofield added 16 points and four rebounds. Marcus Lee dominated the boards with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, and Reyne Smith chipped in with 11 points and three boards. Jack McVeigh contributed across the court with nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Despite the loss, Cairns showed plenty of fight and will look to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face the undefeated Melbourne United on Sunday.

Perth’s Resilience a Sign of Strength

The win improves Perth’s record to 3-1, reflecting their ability to perform under pressure and close out tight contests. For head coach John Rillie, the victory underscores the team’s balanced blend of experience and emerging talent.

With Lual-Acuil Jr dominating the paint, Windler providing versatility, and Rillie’s bench players stepping up, the Wildcats are shaping up as one of the league’s most complete teams.

As the season unfolds, this gritty win in Cairns may well be remembered as one of the early defining moments of Perth’s 2025–26 campaign.