Wildcats and Hawks Set for Open Air NBL Showdown
The stage is set for one of the most exciting nights in Australian basketball as the Perth Wildcats prepare to face the Illawarra Hawks in Round 3 of the NBL season. This isn’t just any regular-season game—it’s the highly anticipated Open Air Game at RAC Arena, a fan-favourite event where the roof is opened to let the action unfold under the Perth night sky. After two years of bad weather forcing the roof to remain closed, the forecast looks perfect this time, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric. Beyond the spectacle, the night will carry added meaning, with the Wildcats teaming up with MSWA to raise awareness for those living with neurological conditions across Western Australia.
On the court, both sides have plenty to prove. Perth comes into this matchup riding high after a stirring comeback win in New Zealand. Down by 12 points late in the fourth quarter, the Wildcats stormed home to beat the Breakers 89–78. The victory showcased the squad’s depth, with Dylan Windler putting up a double-double, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. dominating inside, and Kristian Doolittle alongside coach John Rillie’s son Jaron making clutch plays to seal the win. That resilience has become a trademark of the Wildcats, and they’ll look to draw on it again in front of their home fans.
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Illawarra, meanwhile, enters with plenty of attention surrounding their marquee signing, three-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medallist Javale McGee. His NBL debut was nothing short of spectacular—32 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks—but despite his heroics, the Hawks fell narrowly to the Tasmania JackJumpers. With Tyler Harvey’s scoring touch and the support of experienced contributors like Todd Blanchfield and Biwali Bayles, the Hawks will be determined to bounce back. Head coach Justin Tatum’s side knows that stealing a win in Perth would be a statement.
Wildcats coach John Rillie has made it clear that stopping McGee will be a major focus. He acknowledged the challenge of defending such an athletic presence, noting that his team would have to push him away from the rim and deny easy opportunities. But Rillie also expressed confidence in his roster’s balance and flexibility. Part of that depth is forward Ben Henshall, who will again come off the bench after illness shuffled the rotation last week. His quick eight points against the Breakers showed he is ready for any role, while youngster Dontae Russo-Nance will hold his spot in the starting five. Rillie praised both players for adapting to changes, stressing that versatility is what makes the Wildcats dangerous.
This game is being billed as a battle of the bigs—McGee for Illawarra against Lual-Acuil Jr. for Perth, who himself is coming off a 21-point, 8-rebound, 4-block performance. Add in the energy of the “Red Army” faithful, the uniqueness of the open roof, and the pressure of defending home court, and all the ingredients are there for a thrilling contest. When the ball tips at 7:30 PM AWST on Thursday night, fans can expect drama, intensity, and a true NBL showcase under the stars.
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