DrinkWise game preview - Round 17: Wildcats v Melbourne United

The four-time NBL MVP and six-time Gordon Ellis Medal winner becomes just the 10th player in Wildcats history to reach the 250-game milestone.

Cotton said it was “pretty cool” to join an exclusive club when he runs out on Wednesday night.

“It's pretty crazy,” Cotton reflected.

“It doesn't really feel like it's been 250 games, but I guess that's what happens when you're having fun, but it's a cool milestone to reach.

“It’s pretty cool to be etched a part of history at any time, but especially for a club like the Perth Wildcats.

“it's really humbling and again, I never expected this in a million years, but yeah, here we are.”

Cotton said the past few weeks had felt like play-off basketball which he hoped would hold the team in good stead to take on United.

“In the last two weeks, every game has felt like more than a regular-season game because if you win you might go up a spot and if you lose you might drop two or three. It’s kind of been play-off basketball for the last two or three weeks for us mentally,” he said.

Cotton has won three championships at the Wildcats but hasn’t featured in a grand final series since 2020.

He felt the Wildcats were “trending in the right direction” over the past few seasons as they look to go one game further after last year’s semi-final exit to eventual champions Tasmania.

“I’m a competitor. I always go for it all every season so it’s good that we’re in the position we’re in. But you’ve got to seize these moments because they don’t always come,” he explained.

“Just looking at our history, we missed the playoffs, then we got to the play-in, then we got to the semis, so it’s showing that gradually we are improving year by year.

“Hopefully history continues to repeat itself and we do a little bit better than last year. We’ll see where we end up but I think we’ve been treading in the right direction just looking at the history of it.”

The Wildcats have a 15-9 record after their five-game winning streak, jumping two spots on the ladder last round.

It’s a logjam for finals spots with fifth-placed South East Melbourne sitting  just one win behind on 14-10.

Third-placed Sydney and fourth-placed Melbourne United both have 15-10 records.

The Wildcats will have to face United without gun import Dylan Windler, who’s missing with an eye injury after a nasty incident early in Friday night’s home victory over Adelaide.

Todd Withers will replace Windler for his 13th appearance of the season.

New Zealander Tai Webster remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Melbourne United

When: 6.30pm WST Wednesday 22 January

Where: RAC Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel)

Opposition watch

Melbourne United are still well and truly in the mix for a top-two berth, despite dropping to fourth spot with three losses in their last five outings.

United have a strong record at RAC Arena however, winning nine of their past 10 visits to Perth to take on the Wildcats.

Shea Ili has been in excellent form, averaging 18.3 points in his last three games and is likely to get a defensive assignment on Bryce Cotton.

Last time they met

Chris Goulding put up a stunning 46-point haul to lead Melbourne United to a come-from-behind victory over the Wildcats at John Cain Arena back in round eight.

The Wildcats led 65-51 at half-time before Goulding turned the game on its head with a three-point masterclass to finish with nine triples.

Kristian Doolittle top-scored for the Wildcats with 21 points in the 106-97 loss.

Next Star Izan Almansa made the most of his first starting opportunity with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Keanu Pinder came off the bench of a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, while Ben Henshall chipped in with 15 points.