The Perth Wildcats open 2026 in Brisbane with a chance to stay within reach of the top four on the NBL ladder.
They come up against a Bullets side playing on a short single day turnaround after their clash with Sydney on Tuesday (Kings 97 vs Bullets 70)
For Perth, this game shapes as an important marker of their ability to execute consistently on the road.
The Wildcats have shown they can play at a high level for long stretches, with sustaining execution remaining the focus. That theme has been consistent in recent weeks and it will be under the microscope again in Brisbane where the team have already had success this season.
The two sides met just a couple of weeks ago in Round 12 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre where Perth delivered a complete performance to secure a 24-point win over Brisbane.
The Wildcats held the Bullets to one of their lowest-scoring outings of the season, with a 86-62 victory away from home.
John Rillie believes the next couple of games on the road in Brisbane and New Zealand presents a clear opportunity for the Wildcats to continue building the habits required for success later in the season.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us to show that we can go into different environments and win, and do it multiple times,” Rillie said.
“When you get to playoff basketball, you have to be able to win on the road.”
“This league always comes back to consistency,” he said. “The teams that have disciplined habits day to day are usually the ones still standing at the end. We’ve shown this season that when we’re at our best, we’re right up there. When we’re not, we sit in the middle of the pack.”
“This part of the schedule is a real test. It’s about staying connected, staying locked in and continuing to build before we get back home.”
Perth Wildcats vs Brisbane Bullets
Tip off: 4:30pm AWST
Date: Thursday, 1 January
Venue: Brisbane Entertainment Centre
