The Perth Lynx have continued their remarkable mid-season surge, powering into second place on the WNBL ladder after securing their seventh consecutive victory. The team celebrated the milestone with an emphatic 93-75 triumph over the Adelaide Lightning at the Perth High Performance Centre on Sunday.
Petrik's Percentage Puzzle
Despite the commanding win and the impressive streak, head coach Ryan Petrik immediately tempered celebrations with a dose of reality. The Lynx's average winning margin during this seven-game run is a formidable 22 points. However, heavy defeats earlier in the campaign have left them with a percentage of 111.0, which trails behind ladder leaders Bendigo Spirit (113.7) and third-placed Townsville Fire (122.4).
With the league now using percentage rather than head-to-head records to split teams on equal wins, Petrik knows his side cannot afford to relax. "I look at the loss column. We are on three, Townsville are on three and Bendigo are on two," Petrik explained. "We have the inferior percentage of the three of them. So technically we might be second but in theory right now we are third."
He highlighted the delicate balance his staff must strike: "We’ve got to fix the percentage as well, while keeping our starters’ minutes as low as humanly possible. It’s a really fine line to walk." This philosophy was evident as he heavily rotated his squad to manage workloads ahead of a quick turnaround against Canberra.
Maley's Magnificent Milestone
The game was a special occasion for co-captain Anneli Maley, who took to the court for her 150th WNBL appearance. She marked the event in spectacular fashion, delivering a stat line that underscores her value: 18 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in just 27 minutes of action.
Her phenomenal, all-court performance continues to raise eyebrows regarding her omission from the latest Australian Opals squad. Teammate Alex Ciabattoni left no doubt about who she believes should be crowned the league's Most Valuable Player this season.
"Absolutely. I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone in the league getting the numbers she is getting," Ciabattoni stated. "Rebound wise, she is killing it... To me she has been the difference for our team." Ciabattoni herself was instrumental, top-scoring for the Lynx with 25 points in the victory.
Team Effort Fuels Winning Streak
The win was a comprehensive team performance. Alongside Maley and Ciabattoni, Amy Atwell and Ally Wilson each contributed 16 points, with Wilson adding six rebounds and five assists. This collective firepower overwhelmed the Lightning and secured the club's longest winning sequence since the 2017-18 season.
While enjoying the momentum, the Lynx camp is firmly focused on the challenges ahead. The mission is clear: keep winning, improve their percentage, and manage player fitness as they target a top-two finish and a serious championship push. Their next test, a road game against the Canberra Capitals, will be another crucial step in that journey.
