Hawks on ropes despite McGee's MVP-like start

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Defending champion Illawarra Hawks are already on the ropes, falling to 0-2 to start NBL26 despite import JaVale McGee dominating his match-ups after they lost to Perth on the road 92-84 in Round 3.

Wildcats star Jo Lual-Acuil Jr's had 22 points and Dylan Windler's 14 rebounds were key to securing the home victory.

McGee, coming off a 32-point and 13-rebound first game, delivered again with an All-NBL First Team 26 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and block in 28 minutes.

Perth is now 2-1 while the Hawks are 0-2.

Key Details

• Result: Perth Wildcats 92 def. Illawarra Hawks 84
• When: October 2, 2025
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Perth Wildcats) starred with 22 points, three rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and two steals in 31 minutes.
• JaVale McGee (Illawarra Hawks) scored 26 points, and had 14 rebounds, two assists, one block, and four steals in 28 minutes.

What Happened

The Illawarra Hawks stormed out of the gates, taking a surprising 20-10 lead in the opening quarter at RAC Arena. However, the Perth Wildcats responded emphatically, outscoring the visitors 34-23 in the second period to claim a narrow 44-43 halftime advantage.

Perth's defensive intensity lifted noticeably after the main break, holding Illawarra to just 13 points in a dominant third-quarter display. The Wildcats' 23 points in the period helped them build a comfortable 67-56 lead heading into the final term.

Despite JaVale McGee's best efforts, who finished with an impressive 26 points and 14 rebounds, the Hawks couldn't complete their comeback. The visitors did outscore Perth 28-25 in the fourth quarter, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Dylan Windler's outstanding performance was crucial for the Wildcats, collecting 16 points while dominating the glass with 14 rebounds. His efficiency was notable, shooting 6-from-9 from the field including connecting on one triple. Kristian Doolittle added 17 points and nine rebounds, while rookie Elijah Pepper provided a spark off the bench with 11 points including three triples in just 11 minutes of action.

For Illawarra, Tyler Harvey contributed 19 points and five assists, while Wani Swaka Lo Buluk showcased his shooting touch with 14 points on an efficient 4-from-5 from beyond the arc. The Hawks actually out-rebounded the Wildcats 46-43 and recorded more steals (11-7), but Perth's superior shooting efficiency proved decisive. The home team shot 47% from the field compared to Illawarra's 40%, with the Wildcats making 11 three-pointers to the Hawks' nine.