What Needs to Happen for the Wildcats to Make the Ignite Cup Final

The Perth Wildcats will play South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday night knowing their path to the Ignite Cup Final remains alive, but will be decided by the final two Ignite Cup games and the number of quarters and points scored across the night.

Only the top two teams on the Ignite Cup ladder will progress to the Ignite Cup Final on the Gold Coast. The New Zealand Breakers have already qualified as they wait to see who they will face on February 22.

Two Ignite Cup Games remain and both will be played tomorrow, Wednesday January 28.

• Brisbane Bullets vs Adelaide 36ers at 4.30pm (AWST)
• Perth Wildcats vs South East Melbourne Phoenix at 6.30pm (AWST at RAC Arena)

The outcomes of both games and critically the number of quarters won in each, will determine the final top two.

How the Ignite Cup Ladder Is Decided
Ignite Cup standings are determined by the following criteria, in order:

• Ignite Cup points awarded, with one point per quarter won and three points per game won
• Number of games won
• Points percentage, calculated as points scored versus points conceded
• Total points scored

The Key Scenario
If Adelaide defeat Brisbane and win a minimum of three quarters, the Wildcats’ qualification scenario tightens.

In that case, Perth must defeat South East Melbourne and win all four quarters to remain in contention for a top-two finish.

Winning the game alone would not be enough. Maximising Ignite Cup points becomes essential.

Why Margin Matters
If teams finish level on Ignite Cup points and games won, qualification is decided by points percentage.

At present, the Wildcats trail the leading teams on points percentage, meaning a strong winning margin against South East Melbourne would be required to close that gap.

Based on the current differential, Perth would likely need a significant winning margin, potentially in the order of 30 points, to meaningfully improve their points percentage and strengthen their case to finish inside the top two.

If Adelaide Lose to Brisbane
If Adelaide are defeated by Brisbane earlier in the day, the Wildcats’ path to the Ignite Cup Final becomes much clearer.

An Adelaide loss would remove them from the top-two equation, meaning Perth would no longer need to rely on complex tiebreak scenarios.

In this situation, the Wildcats would simply need to defeat South East Melbourne to secure a place in the Ignite Cup Final, with winning the game becoming the primary focus rather than margin or quarter results. An Adelaide loss would allow Perth to control its own destiny with a win at RAC Arena.

The Equation for Perth
The task for the Wildcats on Wednesday night is clear:

• Win the game
• Win all four quarters
• Build the margin, as it may decide qualification

With a place in the Ignite Cup Final still in contention, Wednesday night at RAC Arena shapes as a high-stakes contest where every quarter and every possession matters.

The Red Army can expect an action packed Wildcats performance from the opening tip, as Perth pushes to secure a spot in the Ignite Cup Final on the Gold Coast.

WILDCATS VS PHOENIX
Venue: RAC Arena
Date: Wednesday, 28 January
Time: 6:30pm AWST
Tickets: HERE