It was a moment that left even an NBL legend stunned.
“I’ve been in this league 36 years now and I’ve maybe seen this two or three times,” Derek Rucker said, following the tense exchange between Perth Wildcats stars Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr after their dramatic 74-73 loss to Melbourne United.
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Days on from the incident, Doolittle fronted the media to address what unfolded, offering clarity on the situation and how the team has since moved forward as they prepare for their next challenge.
“It was just about the frustrating way to lose a game, but it’s fine now,” Doolittle said.
“We both understood it was just a thing in the heat of the moment and we woke up the next day getting ready for the South East game.
“We’re both competitive and both want to win a championship, so a lot of things were said in the heat of the moment that were brushed over.”
The flashpoint stemmed from the final minute of the contest, after Milton Doyle knocked down a heavily contested step-back three to give United a one-point lead. The Wildcats had one final possession to steal the game.
Doolittle took the last shot over two defenders, a decision that quickly became a talking point given Elijah Pepper was open on the perimeter. With time to reflect, Doolittle said the team’s focus has been broader than a single moment.
“At the end of the day, Doyle hit a tough shot – a contested step-back three – and then we had an opportunity to take the lead back the very next possession and we came up short,” he said.
“It’s always the last play that gets highlighted rather than what led up to that point, and that’s what we reflected on as a team.
“But the game is over with and we have another game tomorrow. Our whole focus is to beat South East.”
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Much of the external noise has centred on how the Wildcats would handle the aftermath of the exchange between two of their stars. For Doolittle, the solution was straightforward.
“We’re grown. At the end of the day, what was said was said and there was no animosity that lingered over from that moment,” he said.
“We’re friends on and off the court. We’re just competitors and we were both mad that we lost the game in the fashion we lost it.”
In a league known for its physicality and emotion, moments like these are usually handled behind closed doors. Asked how players balance personal relationships with professional accountability in heated situations, Doolittle was clear.
“If you take it personal, you’re not going to last long in this profession,” he said.
“Basketball is a competitive sport filled with competitive people. As long as that line isn’t crossed, I feel like all is fair game.
“It’s about taking it as constructive criticism rather than taking it personal and understanding everyone here has the same goal – winning a championship.”
Questions have also been raised about leadership within the playing group and coaching staff. Doolittle acknowledged the responsibility carried by the team’s senior voices.
“A lot of the onus and vocal leadership is on Jo, Jesse, myself and Dylan,” he said.
“We’re some of the more outspoken people on the team. Sometimes people handle things better than others, and we’re still learning how to handle those situations the right way the first time.”
Head coach John Rillie’s message, delivered with fatherly simplicity, summed it up best: be nice to each other.
The incident also drew attention to Wildcats assistant Ben Peterson, who was seen covering cameras as the exchange unfolded. Speaking on 91.3 SportFM, Peterson addressed reports the NBL had issued a please explain.
“I’m not sure if the club’s received anything, but I personally have not,” Peterson said.
“It’s a split-second decision and there’s a camera two inches away from our guys’ huddle.
“There’s a little bit of personal space that needs to be involved, and you’re just trying to defuse the situation in that moment.”
While the incident won’t be forgotten quickly, the real test comes next. The Wildcats host the Phoenix in Perth on Wednesday night, and how Doolittle and Lual-Acuil Jr respond on the floor will determine whether this moment fades into the background – or resurfaces.
Doolittle’s willingness to front the media, defuse the situation and provide clarity showed leadership in its truest form, reinforcing his standing as a leader both on and off the court as Perth pushes forward in its championship pursuit.
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