Wildcats bigs dominate Taipans in statement win

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Perth Wildcats star duo Kristian Doolittle and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr look as close as ever despite an altercation following a loss last month after combining for 59 points to lead their team to a 98-84 win over the Cairns Taipans at RAC Arena.

Doolittle and Lual-Acuil led from the front from the opening tip as several of their teammates struggled to find any rhythm as the Wildcats closed within one win of the third-placed Sydney Kings.

Wildcats coach John Rillie said that's what's expected out of their star players.

"(Doolittle) and Jo did a great job of just keeping everyone involved tonight and their own performances were really good and then you saw in the fourth quarter, guys just chipping in, sharing the ball, playing for each other, which was great to see down the stretch of the game," Rillie said in the post-game press conference.

"We had to win differently tonight... We're just in a nice rhythm right now and we have a good belief.

"It perplexes me that (Doolittle) doesn't get mentioned for awards categories and very versatile all over the floor and then, I don't know what his last month has been, very productive and probably a little correlation to the way we're playing as well.

"But I'll go back to, like, himself and Jo. Our first quarter, we were just trying to find the rhythm of the game but that's what you want out of your star players, is as you try to find the groove... that's when you need your stars to step up and just keep the team going."

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 98 def. Cairns Taipans 84
• When: Thursday, 6th February 2026
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Attendance: 11,161
• Standings: Check current NBL standings

By the Numbers

• Kristian Doolittle (Perth Wildcats) starred with 32 points, seven rebounds, four assists in 37 minutes.
• Andrew Andrews (Cairns Taipans) scored 25 points, and had six rebounds, seven assists in 39 minutes.

What Happened

The Wildcats established their authority through superior shooting efficiency, converting 51.4% of their field goal attempts compared to Cairns' 44.4%. Perth's balanced offensive attack proved too much for the visiting Taipans, who struggled to match their hosts' scoring consistency throughout the contest.

Kristian Doolittle delivered an outstanding performance, shooting an efficient 11-from-18 from the field, including an impressive 4-from-6 from downtown. His 32-point haul was perfectly complemented by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr's dominant interior presence, as the big man went 12-from-17 from the field for 27 points while adding six rebounds and two swats. Dylan Windler contributed a solid double-double with 11 points and 11 boards, showcasing the Wildcats' depth.

The Taipans fought valiantly despite the deficit, with Andrew Andrews leading their charge through seven assists and 25 points on 10-from-19 shooting. Mojave King provided valuable support with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Jack McVeigh added 18 points and five dimes. However, their efforts weren't enough to overcome Perth's superior offensive efficiency and rebounding advantage.

Perth's dominance on the glass proved decisive, out-rebounding Cairns 47-33 and creating numerous second-chance opportunities. The Wildcats' 10 offensive rebounds generated additional possessions that helped extend their lead throughout the contest. Defensively, Perth forced Cairns into difficult shots, limiting the Taipans to just 25% shooting from beyond the arc on 32 attempts.

The victory sees Perth continue their strong form at RAC Arena, with the 11,161-strong crowd witnessing a comprehensive team performance. With 20 lead changes throughout the game, the contest remained competitive until the Wildcats pulled away in the final stages, controlling proceedings for over 29 minutes of game time compared to Cairns' seven minutes in front.