The Perth Wildcats are through to the NBL’s semi-final series with a 18-point win over Melbourne United at RAC Arena on Saturday.
Watch live coverage of NBL and WNBL 2025-26 seasons with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The 95-77 victory earned the Wildcats a spot in the best-of-three games series against the Sydney Kings, starting at Quodos Bank Arena on Wednesday.
So, in four seasons of the NBL’s Play-In Tournament, a team finishing outside of the top four is yet to make it to the semi-finals stages.
When Melbourne United led by 11 points late in the second term on Saturday, they looked like becoming the first team to make it through.
The fifth-placed United had taken care of sixth-placed Tasmania in the Play-In Qualifier on Thursday.
But after knocking down 34 points in the second quarter, they managed only 10 in the third.
Kristian Doolittle scored 11 points of his own for the quarter to turn a nine-point Melbourne half-time lead to a four-point advantage to the half-time going into the last 10 minutes.
United were held to only 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Foul free and fancy
Doolittle, the Wildcats’ newly-crowned MVP, again led the way with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
But Jo Lual-Acuil Jr also had a massive night out, arguably his best for the season, with 28 points, to go with four blocks and 12 boards.
He was huge.
It’s amazing what the big man can achieve when he’s on the court.
It was a huge contrast to Wednesday night when early foul trouble restricted him to just 17:29 minutes in the loss to South East Melbourne.
He managed only six minutes in the first half against the Phoenix and was kept to only 11 points and six rebounds.
Phoenix soar to earn semi final spot | 00:46
The champ struggled
Chris Goulding would normally thrive in knock out games against Perth, in Perth.
But he went into Saturday’s game under an injury cloud, and while he started, he managed only seven points in almost 19 minutes.
He looked almost done at quarter-time, having spent just four minutes on court for four points.
He came back, in an attempt to get his side over the line, but his three-point shooting radar was off, hitting only one of eight attempts.
The Melbourne star has not had a great time against the Wildcats this season, totalling just 21 points in four games against them.
He was crook and played only 16 minutes in round 11, failing to score.
And he’s managed only 2-27 from three-point territory in those four games.
NBL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
SERIES 1
Game 1
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tuesday, March 10 – 7.30pm AEDT
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Game 2
South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers
Saturday, March 14 – 5.30pm AEDT
John Cain Arena
Game 3
Adelaide 36ers v South East Melbourne Phoenix
Tuesday, March 17 – 7.30pm AEDT
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
(if required)
SERIES 2
Game 1
Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats
Wednesday, March 11 – 7.30pm AEDT
Qudos Bank Arena
Game 2
Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings
Saturday, March 14 – 8pm AEDT
RAC Arena
Game 3
Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats
Wednesday, March 18 – 7.30pm AEDT
Qudos Bank Arena
(if required)