DrinkWise game preview: Round 19 - Wildcats v Kings

Wagstaff, a six-time NBL champion and long-time Wildcats captain in his 16th season, will etch his name into the Wildcats history books when he becomes the first player to reach the 500-game milestone.

It's the latest in a long list of achievements for the 38-year-old, who earlier in the season broke Ricky Grace's long-standing Wildcats games record.

It’s also a massive test for the Wildcats against another finals-bound outfit in the Kings.

Just percentage separates the two teams in third and fourth spot, with the Wildcats able to jump to third with a win which will be their 17th of the season.

It comes after a thrilling one-point come-from-behind victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix on Friday night at RAC Arena.

Wildcats coach John Rillie was proud of his team's fourth-quarter performance, coming back from 12 points down with 8:50 remaining to snatch an important victory after back-to-back losses.

It was a rare occasion that Rillie had a full team at his disposal after speedy guard Tai Webster (hamstring) and rangy import Dylan Windler (eye) returned from injury.

"We found a way like in both games last week we couldn’t find a way despite having opportunities," Rillie said.

“We found a way and capitalised on those opportunities, but it just reflects the time of the season we're at right now."

Jaylen Adams, coming off a career-best 43-point game against Adelaide, is one the Wildcats will need to stop.

Adams is averaging 18.9 points, 6.3 assists and competition-high 1.8 steals per game in NBL25.

Perth young gun Ben Henshall is likely to spend plenty of time on Adams and said he was up for the challenge and didn’t care how big of a name his opponent was.

Rilllie was full of praise for Henshall after his important contribution against the Phoenix, including a late three-pointer which helped swing the momentum in the Wildcats’ favour.

He felt Henshall’s teammates were trusting him for the big moments.

“You just saw the evolution of a young player,” Rillie said.

“Last week he stepped up and he took the same shot in the same moment. Tonight his teammates trusted him in that moment and he stepped up. They’re the little things as a coach that I take away that our team is in a good place. You’ve got guys trusting each other in big moments.”

Game details

Who: Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings

When: 11.30am WST Sunday 2 February

Where: Qudos Bank Arena

Watch: Live on ESPN (via Kayo or Foxtel) and Channel 10/10 Play

Opposition watch

Like Perth, the Kings are in the hunt for a top-two spot after winning three of their last four games.

The two teams have the same win-loss record of 16-11, with Sydney marginally ahead on percentage.

The Kings were on a three-game winning run before going down to Adelaide 36ers at home last round.

MVP Jaylen Adams amassed a game-high 43 points in the 105-96 loss, to go with seven assists and four rebounds in a dominant performance.

Big men Xavier Cooks and Cam Oliver have also been in good form for the Kings.

The Kings have won four of its last five games against Perth at Qudos Bank Arena.

Last time they met

You have to go all the way back to Round 6 for the last time the Wildcats and Kings went head-to-head.

The undermanned Wildcats prevailed in a thriller that night at RAC Arena, 87-84.

Keanu Pinder stood up in a Wildcats outfit missing Bryce Cotton and Tai Webster, finishing with 34 points to go with four steals.

Kristian Doolittle (nine points and 14 rebounds) fell one point shy of a double-double as the Wildcats dominated the boards count 56-35.

The Wildcats and Kings are one win apiece head-to-head in NBL25.