DrinkWise Game Preview - Round 4: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers
20 Oct
1
min read


Wildcats head coach John Rillie confirmed that import Kristian Doolittle (knee) and guard Kyle Zunic (foot) were cleared to fly to Adelaide on Friday ahead of captain Jesse Wagstaff's 450th game.
Doolittle sent a scare into the Wildcats' camp early in last Friday night's clash against Melbourne United at RAC Arena when he went down with a knee injury.
But scans revealed the 26-year-old had avoided serious damage.
"He was out there performing, scoring buckets and playing defence. I’ll rule him in," Rillie said after practice on Thursday.
"Doolittle is going to be travelling to Adelaide and playing. Any sportsman that goes down like that, you do hold your breath and hope it doesn’t impact their career for any type of length.
"It’s been great to have him out in practice this week and him re-joining our team.
"He influences the game in ways that statistically don’t show up. You saw Jesse’s impact the other day when he played - Kristian and Jesse bring a similar type of impact to the game for our group."
Rillie said the full roster availability was a nice problem to have as his team hunts their third win of the season and second against Adelaide.
"This is the first time we've had everyone healthy to take on the road with us," he said.
"I can say it’s a great thing, because as we’re trying to search and find ourself having everyone available is great to have in that situation.
"You have to have those conversations with guys so they understand where they fit and when their opportunity comes along.
"Dave Okwera plays against Sydney and hadn't played in the last couple of games and he did a great job coming in.
"The old coaching cliche 'you'd better come and be ready for your opportunity' - because your opportunity will come at some stage."
Game Details
Who: Perth Wildcats vs Adelaide 36ers
When: 5pm WST Saturday 21 October
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Watch: Live on ESPN via Kayo or Foxtel
Opposition watch
Adelaide are shaping up as a danger side after breaking through for their first win of the season against lllawarra last weekend and signing sharpshooting import Dejan Vasiljevic during the week.
The 36ers dropped Thursday night's clash to South East Melbourne Phoenix in Vasiljevic's debut and will be desperate to bounce back on their home court.
Last time they met
The Wildcats celebrated their annual Pink Game clash with a hard-fought win over Adelaide at RAC Arena on October 6.
Three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton led the scoring with 19 points in the 82-75 result, with fellow import Jordan Usher and French Next Star hit 16 apiece.

7 Apr
Michael Harris Re-signs with the Wildcats

5 Apr
David Okwera Returns to Perth to Join the Cats

2 Apr
Cotton takes out fifth Wildcats MVP

31 Mar
Wildcats welcome Keanu Pinder home to Perth

30 Mar
Thank you, Luke Travers

27 Mar
Wildcats Welcome Gerard Martin to 2023/24 Coaching Staff

24 Mar
Perth Wildcats Announce Hall of Fame and Inaugural Inductees

10 Mar
Perth Wildcats announce Wildcats Academy for local youth prospects

13 Feb
Perth Wildcats MVP Ball locked in

12 Feb
Wildcats NBL23 season comes to an end

11 Feb
DrinkWise Preview: Play-in – Perth Wildcats vs Cairns Taipans

9 Feb
Wildcats defeat Phoenix to advance in the play-ins

8 Feb
DrinkWise Preview: Play-in – Perth Wildcats vs SEM Phoenix

5 Feb
Wildcats win a thriller to clinch spot in play-in tournament

4 Feb
DrinkWise Preview: Round 18 – Perth Wildcats vs Sydney Kings

4 Feb
Wildcats drop crucial game to Cairns
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