ANOTHER clutch game-winner from import guard Milton Doyle proved the difference in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Sunday afternoon, leading his Melbourne United to a thrilling one-point win over the Perth Wildcats.

The Wildcats welcomed United to RAC Arena on Sunday afternoon for a blockbuster clash within the race for a top-four spot. United have seemingly found a way to win of late after a serious form slump saw the championship fancies lose that title over the past couple of months. However, facing Perth in Perth is always a tall order, especially given the Wildcats have their own motivation in holding onto fourth place in the standings.

Although United was without some key names for the clash, the visitors were able to get the job done in a scrappy contest, with a late Doyle three-pointer proving the difference as Melbourne escaped Western Australia with a one-point triumph.

Perth Wildcats (73) def. by Melbourne United (74)

Celebrating Chris Goulding‘s 500th NBL appearance, the equation got much more complex for Melbourne a few minutes into the match. Already missing Shea Ili, United suffered another blow when Tyson Walker copped a head knock, leaving their backcourt stocks seriously depleted in a crucial fixture for their quest for a top four spot.

However, Melbourne did still have one ace in the hole, with Doyle taking over against Perth to prove the game-winner in more ways than one. He was electric with 24 points and eight assists, showing more of his early season form that proved so important when Melbourne won its first nine games of the 2025/26 season.

Not only was he the most productive player over the course of the entire match, Doyle stepped up with the match-winning play down the stretch. With Perth leading by two points and 30 seconds on the clock, the NBL champion launched a three-pointer over the top of star opponent Jo Lual-Acuil, and when it found the bottom of the net, United were back in front.

The Wildcats had their chances to respond, but clamping defence and poor shot selection meant they could not get an open look, and tensions boiled over between teammates Lual-Acuil and Kristian Doolittle on-court having let one slip away.

Melbourne big man Jesse Edwards continued his rich run of form and had his way in the paint, controlling the skies to finish with a massive double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds on 6/9 shooting from the field and 6/7 shooting from the charity stripe.

Lual-Acuil had a strong game of his own in an enthralling battle with Edwards, posting 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in a stat-stuffing performance, while Doolittle overcame some inefficiency (7/19 FG) to still finish the match with 19 points.

The assignments do not get any easier for Perth, hosting the SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena on Wednesday night in another massive test for the team from out west, while United will cross the Tasman to take on the New Zealand Breakers on Friday.