IN THE National Basketball League (NBL) action on Wednesday night, the Perth Wildcats have managed to sneak past the SEM Phoenix in a surprising comeback win. Being their sixth win in their past seven games, they aim to push past Melbourne United to grasp the fourth spot, and with this statement win against the second-best team in the league, they just might.

Much thanks to Dylan Windler‘s late-game hustling rebounds that turned into points, the Wildcats held a small five-point lead, which they were able to keep for the final minutes. In the last minute, the Phoenix started to rush their shots, which led to Perth scoring even more to finally win the game 101-93.

As the game was a part of the Ignite Cup, the game was more about climbing up the ladder, because both teams were previously eliminated from the tournament, as the final will be the Adelaide 36ers taking on the New Zealand Breakers.

The main difference maker throughout the game and in the deciding moments was Windler, providing a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and his relentless hustle was the game-changer.

Elijah Pepper also dropped in 22 points with four three pointers, making up for Kristian Doolittle‘s struggles from the field at 10 points on 30 per cent shooting from the field. Ben Henshall continues to improve in his point guard role, putting up 14 points with nine assists, and scoring a late-game floater, which was the dagger. Jo Lual-Acuil, despite fouling out in the fourth quarter, put up 18 points with three blocks in his 27 minutes of play.

John Brown III had two NBL career highs for himself, with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Although he was shooting 35 per cent from the field, his overall play and value on both sides of the floor makes him too good to not have on the floor.

Nathan Sobey continues his run and shows why he is still one of the best scorers in the league, with 28 points and eight rebounds. At 35 years old, he is third in the MVP race, following the likes of Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton. Ian Clark was not able to keep up his recent scoring performances, shooting 22 per cent and finishing with 10 points.

With the Phoenix’s loss, the third-placed Sydney Kings will have the opportunity to overtake them to clinch the second spot, if they can get a win against the Illawarra Hawks, who are fighting to keep their season alive from seventh.

The Wildcats are just arm’s reach away from overtaking Melbourne United, who have had an awful fall from how they started their NBL26 campaign. With the team finally gelling together and Henshall developing into his new role as point guard, they are beginning to look like sleeper contenders, and time will tell if they are able to keep up their play.