Perth Wildcats began their 2026/27 NBL campaign with a 100-79 defeat by South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, despite a 25-point performance from Kristian Doolittle.
The Wildcats were unable to make home advantage count and struggled to generate consistent offence without recognised point guards Brandon Knight and Jaron Rillie. South East Melbourne, meanwhile, produced an impressive attacking display even in the absence of long-time leading scorer Nathan Sobey, who was sidelined by back tightness.
Doolittle also contributed six rebounds and seven assists as he attempted to compensate for Perth’s shortage of playmaking options. Jo Lual-Acuil added 20 points and eight rebounds, Elijah Pepper scored 19 and captain Jesse Wagstaff finished with 11.
Perth made a slow start, missing three of their first five attempts from beyond the arc. Doolittle then changed the momentum by making three successive three-pointers, ending the opening quarter with 13 points as the Wildcats stayed within reach.
South East Melbourne took control in the second quarter, using a 14-1 run to turn Perth’s five-point advantage at the end of the first into a 12-point half-time deficit. The Phoenix were particularly effective when attacking the basket, missing only four of their 17 two-point attempts across the opening two periods.
Perth, by contrast, made just one of eight three-point attempts in the second quarter, with Pepper supplying the only successful effort. Their offensive problems were compounded by a lack of defensive intensity as the Phoenix established a firm grip on the contest.
The Wildcats improved after the interval and found greater rhythm at both ends of the court. Wagstaff provided a brief surge in the third quarter, hitting a three-pointer while drawing a foul, converting the resulting free throws and adding a lay-up in the opening game of his 18th NBL campaign.
Doolittle’s fourth three-pointer brought Perth level early in the final quarter, but 18-year-old NBA draft prospect Dash Daniels then took charge for South East Melbourne. The former Melbourne United player scored eight points in the final period and finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Daniels also benefited from an unfortunate slip by Wildcats debutant replacement player Jimmy Whitt in the backcourt. Tanner Krebs then made his fifth three-pointer before setting up Jordan Hunter for an alley-oop, sealing a convincing opening-night victory for the Phoenix.
