PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Han Xu of the Lynx looks to shoots as she warms up during the round 14 WNBL match between Perth Lynx and Townsville Fire at Perth High Performance Centre on January 20, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
BREAKING: The Perth Lynx faced a significant setback in their WNBL title chase, suffering an 82-76 defeat to the Townsville Fire at the Perth High Performance Centre on February 6. The loss not only dashed their hopes of climbing to the top of the ladder but also raised urgent concerns for star player Han Xu, who was injured after receiving a stray elbow to the face during the match.
This defeat comes just days after the Lynx secured a crucial victory against championship contender Bendigo, making the loss particularly disheartening. With this result, Townsville improves to 16-4, boasting the best record in the league, while the Lynx fall to 14-5. The Fire now head home to Queensland, fully aware that their next three games will determine their playoff fate.
The match took a troubling turn late in the third quarter when Xu was struck in the face, leading to her visibly furious reaction as she left the court for medical assistance. The injury drew immediate concern from her family, who were watching from courtside. Lynx coach Ryan Petrik expressed his frustration over the physicality Xu has faced throughout the season, amplifying the emotional tension surrounding the incident.
“I think you saw it when she slammed the ice pack onto the ground early in the fourth when she got subbed back in,” Petrik stated. “It was let me go and hit somebody.” Despite Petrik’s concerns, Townsville coach Shannon Seebohm maintained that the play was simply part of the game, insisting it should not be viewed as a foul.
The Lynx struggled to find their rhythm early in the game, falling behind by 11 points midway through the first quarter. However, a strong performance from Ally Wilson trimmed the deficit to just three points by the end of the first quarter. Townsville then surged ahead, scoring the first 14 points of the second quarter and establishing a commanding 17-point lead.
Perth showcased their defensive prowess in the third period, limiting Townsville to only three points in the first five minutes, eventually seizing the lead as the game entered its final quarter. Despite their efforts, the Fire proved resilient, holding off the Lynx in the closing moments to secure a vital victory.
As the WNBL season progresses, the Lynx will need to regroup quickly. Their next three matches are away games, putting additional pressure on the team as they aim to secure a top spot before returning home for the final game on February 7. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Lynx respond to this challenging defeat and the health of Han Xu in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
