KICKING off the weekend’s action in the 2025/26 season of the National Basketball League (NBL) was a win to the Perth Wildcats over the Cairns Taipans at Cairns Entertainment Centre on Friday night, with the visitors claiming a three-point triumph.

The Wildcats came into the clash having affirmed themselves as a genuine threat to the championship for the current season, winning two of their first three games. On the other hand, the Taipans were looking to move up into the higher rung of the standings having broken even from their first four games.

Although both teams had their scoring runs throughout the contest, it was the Wildcats who walked away with the victory, remaining in the top three with their third win in four outings in a strong start to their campaign.

Cairns Taipans (77) def. by Perth Wildcats (80)

The Wildcats raced out of the blocks to start the game, showing no signs of jet lag in a blistering first few minutes for the visitors. Scoring 13 of the first 17 points of the game, Perth was commanding in the opening stages. However, the Taipans responded with some big three-point makes to tie up proceedings at the first change.

The second quarter saw the home side truly start to put their foot down, with Cairns opening up a lead as big as nine points after scoring 11 unanswered points, continuing to make its mark from behind the arc. However, once again the momentum swung as a late burst from the Wildcats cut the margin down to just two points at the main break.

The third quarter did not buck the trend in any way whatsoever, with the two teams going on scoring runs and holding hefty leads themselves in what was a perfect summation of the back and forth nature of this match. Perth led by one point at the final change, and it was clear that it was truly anyone’s game by this point.

The momentum swings continued into the fourth quarter, with the Taipans’ shooting matching up well against the Wildcats’ inside dominance. However, Jo Lual-Acuil put his team on his back to close out the game, nailing a tip-in to seal the three-point win on the road and ensure the Wildcats remained in the top three.

The big man was immense within the match, posting 30 points and 10 rebounds in a dominant performance and one of the best of his storied NBL career. He had an excellent partner in crime in Dylan Windler, who had 26 points and 11 rebounds of his own in his best showing of the season to date having started his campaign strongly.

Taipans import point guard Andrew Andrews was productive during the match, posting 21 points and nearly pulling off the game-tying heave as time expired, while Marcus Lee posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds in a solid showing.