Perth Wildcats import Dylan Windler has revealed the starting five have wholeheartedly embraced being asked to spend significantly more time on the court in recent weeks, a factor that proved crucial during Saturday night's hard-fought 106-99 victory over the Illawarra Hawks.
Wildcats Starters Show No Signs of Fatigue
Despite playing their third intense game within a demanding six-day period, the Wildcats' starting lineup displayed remarkable resilience and energy, with no visible signs of fatigue. This extended court time has become a strategic element for the team as they navigate a busy schedule.
Impressive Minutes Logged by Key Players
Kristian Doolittle was a standout, playing for an impressive 38 minutes and only briefly leaving the court during the second quarter for a minor injury assessment. His presence has been invaluable, especially with the team covering for injured players David Duke and Jaron Rillie.
Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper were both on court for nearly 33 minutes each. This marked a season-high for Henshall and represented one of the longest continuous stints Pepper has been tasked with this campaign.
Dylan Windler contributed 31 minutes of play, while Jo Lual-Acuil added 30 minutes, ensuring the starting five carried a substantial workload throughout the contest.
Embracing the Challenge and Team Cohesion
Windler expressed that the group has welcomed the challenge of extended minutes. "All five of our starters played a pretty good basketball game. So I think in those moments you've got to let us play," he stated.
He emphasised the strong cohesion within the unit, while also acknowledging the vital role of the bench players. "I think we're doing a good job of playing together. That's not to take away from our bench guys because I think they've been huge for us all season. I think any of those guys could come in and play 15-20 minutes for us on any given night," Windler added.
The import player highlighted how rigorous practice sessions have prepared the team for such demanding stretches. "We've played four games in a couple of week span but that's what practice has built us for over the course of the season. We go hard in practice and it has built us for these moments," he explained.
Doolittle's Pivotal Role and Impact
Kristian Doolittle's ability to remain effective on the court for extended periods has been a game-changer for the Wildcats. He notably shifted the momentum against the Hawks during the third quarter by scoring 15 critical points.
Head coach John Rillie knows he can consistently rely on the American forward to make a significant impact at both ends of the floor, regardless of his minutes played. "He enjoys playing basketball. He loves competing. He loves winning," Rillie said of Doolittle.
The coach underscored Doolittle's importance to the team's success, drawing a parallel to former star Bryce Cotton, who was known for his minimal bench time. "The Perth Wildcats' success has a lot to do with Kristian Doolittle and his performance. So I'm going to squeeze every little moment out of it to our benefit. Obviously Doo is playing at a very high level right now," Rillie affirmed.
This strategic reliance on the starting five, coupled with their positive response to increased minutes, is shaping as a key factor in the Perth Wildcats' ongoing campaign as they build momentum through a challenging fixture period.
