PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: JaVale McGee of the Hawks goes to the basket against Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. and Jesse Wagstaff of the Wildcats during the round six NBL match between Perth Wildcats and Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena, on October 25, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
UPDATE: Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie is urgently calling for better protection of star player Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. following a heartbreaking 85-84 loss to the Illawarra Hawks last night. Lual-Acuil fouled out with just 3:56 left in the game, leaving the Wildcats vulnerable and leading to a dramatic defeat.
Lual-Acuil had an impressive performance, scoring 18 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking three shots before his early exit. The Wildcats were ahead by five points when he was forced to the bench, highlighting the significant impact of his absence during crucial moments. In a shocking turn of events, Illawarra’s JaVale McGee, who took over after Lual-Acuil’s departure, scored 24 points and made the winning free throw.
Rillie’s frustration was palpable as he addressed the media after the game. “Players are the superstars. Only the players are the superstars. Let’s not get lost on why everyone is here,” he stated emphatically. He also used his Coach’s Challenge in a desperate bid to keep Lual-Acuil in the game, but to no avail. That challenge could have been invaluable later when a controversial foul was called against McGee with the scores tied and just 1.2 seconds remaining.
The match was a rollercoaster, particularly for the Wildcats, who struggled with their shooting. They only managed to hit one out of 17 three-point attempts in the first half, continuing a trend of poor shooting that has plagued them all season. Despite entering this game with a 29.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc across their first seven games, the Wildcats remained optimistic.
Rillie commented, “At the end of the game, basketball is a game about making shots. I’m not concerned. When I watch film, it’s about the quality. Are they good quality shots for that person? If they are, I have no issue because that’s what they’re paid to do.”
Key players stepped up in Lual-Acuil’s absence, with Ben Henshall scoring 17 points and Elijah Pepper finishing with 12 points. However, the team’s struggles from the arc were evident, particularly for Pepper, who missed all of his previous seven attempts before hitting a critical three-pointer in the final moments.
Looking ahead, the Wildcats are now 4-4 and face a challenging schedule, with their next three games away from home against Tasmania, South East Melbourne, and a highly anticipated matchup with Bryce Cotton in Adelaide. Adding to the excitement, new import David Duke Jr. is set to arrive in Australia on Monday after signing with the team earlier this week.
As the Wildcats regroup, Rillie’s plea for officiating changes underscores the critical role that players like Lual-Acuil play in the league—and the urgency of ensuring they remain on the court to compete. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on Lual-Acuil’s situation as the Wildcats prepare for their next challenge.
