Windler's Wildcats take down Cotton's 36ers

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The Perth Wildcats have won seven straight against the Adelaide 36ers - the first six with Bryce Cotton and the seventh against Bryce Cotton.

A big time double-double by former NBA player Dylan Windler, who spent several years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Laker and New York Knicks, was the catalyst of the Wildcats' take down of Cotton and the Adelaide 36ers 94-87 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in front of more than 10,000 fans in Round 8 of NBL26.

Windler had 18 points on 7-from-12, 12 rebounds and five assists. Four of the seven straight wins have come on the road.

"He enjoys playing basketball and he’s a good player," Rillie added.

"We found him in some nice actions. He was really aggressive tonight — rebounded with aggression — and that propels him offensively.

"When he plays with that kind of purpose, you can see why he was a first-round draft pick.

"We’ve added David (Duke Jr) to our roster — five practices, one game before tonight — but this was the first time we’ve had a full week of practice together as a group in about a month," head coach John Rillie said.

"The schedule just hasn’t allowed it. The prep time let us work through things throughout the week."

There was little tension if any as the Wildcats and Cotton stepped on the floor before the last game of Round 8 given the shock and uproar that followed after the five-time MVP's decision to join the 36ers.

"The narrative around it is way overboard, but you guys have to do your job," Rillie said.

"I’d say there’s a lot of respect, and the way it’s been portrayed sometimes questions that. I’m happy that people could see the mutual respect.

"Bryce competed for nine years for Perth. It was a pleasure coaching him for three — he made me a better coach. Hopefully I gave him something that made him a better player.

"There’s great respect. I tune in to watch him play for Adelaide, but as coach of the Wildcats, I also tune in to figure out how to stop him."

Wildcats guard David Duke Jr, the man brought in to replace the man who was to replace Cotton, said he was getting more comfortable with each practice and game.

"Credit to coach for bringing me in and coaching me up on everything," Duke Jr said.

"On the court, he’s put me in positions to succeed. We talked about that — he’d put me in the best spots, but I had to be willing to be coached.

"It’s been a great partnership so far. My teammates have done a phenomenal job welcoming me, letting me be myself, and I want to fit in seamlessly.

"It’s a growing relationship, but we’re off to a good start."

Cotton had a tough night from the field despite scoring a game-high 23 but it took 24 shots to get there. He didn't shoot a free throw.

Rillie said the Wildcats scout was "very focus" on keeping him off the line.

Having been around him for three years, we know if you can keep him off the foul line, you give yourself a chance," Rillie said.

"That’s easier said than done, but our prep and focus this week had real purpose. The challenge is to bring the same energy and focus next time we face him."

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 94 def. Adelaide 36ers 87
• When: November 9, 2025
• Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Dylan Windler (Perth Wildcats) starred with 18 points, 12 rebounds, five assists in 35 minutes.
• Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers) scored 23 points, had five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 38 minutes.

What Happened

The teams traded blows throughout a tightly contested first half, with both sides scoring 17 points in the first quarter and 27 in the second to enter halftime deadlocked at 44-44.

The third quarter remained close with Perth outscoring Adelaide 28-31, before the Wildcats took control in the final period with a decisive 22-11 advantage to secure the seven-point victory.

Perth's balanced offensive attack proved too much for Adelaide to handle, with five players scoring in double figures. David Duke Jnr and Kristian Doolittle contributed 16 points each, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr added 13 points and six rebounds. The Wildcats' teamwork was evident with 20 assists spread across the roster.

Despite Bryce Cotton's 23-point performance for Adelaide, including an impressive seven three-pointers from 13 attempts, the 36ers couldn't maintain their offense in the crucial fourth quarter. Nick Rakocevic and Isaac White provided valuable bench production with 15 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome Perth's fourth-quarter surge.

The rebounding battle heavily favoured the Wildcats, who dominated the glass with a 47-39 advantage. This control of the boards, led by Windler's 12 rebounds, gave Perth crucial second-chance opportunities while limiting Adelaide's fast-break potential. Perth's superior efficiency showed in their 47% field goal shooting compared to Adelaide's 40%.

Free throws proved a significant factor in the outcome, with Perth attempting 30 free throws to Adelaide's 17. The Wildcats converted 21 of these opportunities, outscoring the 36ers by eight points from the charity stripe in a game decided by a seven-point margin.