Perth Wildcats Import David Duke Junior Impresses in Return from Elbow Injury
Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie expressed confidence in star import David Duke junior's physical condition following his successful return from a long-term elbow injury during Friday night's commanding 94-75 victory over the Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena. Duke, who had been sidelined since December 28, played 13 minutes off the bench, contributing nine points and four rebounds in a promising performance ahead of the finals series.
Rillie praised Duke's aggressive and assertive play, noting the importance of managing his minutes after such an extended absence. "You're trying to get him burn so he feels like he's getting something out of it but you're also mindful of not going over the threshold," Rillie said. "He's been out for so long. I thought he did a great job. He was aggressive, he was assertive. I think he'll be better for it."
Duke's Return Bolsters Wildcats Amid Injury Concerns
The timing of Duke's return proved crucial as teammate Ben Henshall suffered an ankle injury during training on Thursday and was unable to play. Henshall was observed limping on the sidelines, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's away game against the top-of-the-table Sydney Kings. Duke's reintegration into the lineup provides much-needed depth and scoring options for the Wildcats as they prepare for the postseason.
Rillie highlighted how Duke tested his capabilities during the game, particularly in the second half. "I think he put himself in moments, especially in the second half where he tested his ball handling, tested being aggressive and getting to the rim," Rillie explained. "I think those are the questions he'd probably want to answer. When he came off I said I thought he responded well to being out for so long and playing tonight."
Kristian Doolittle's Dominant Performance Continues
While Duke's return captured attention, Kristian Doolittle delivered another outstanding performance, solidifying his status as a key player for the Wildcats. Doolittle dominated the court with 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, building on his 32-point effort against Cairns the previous week. The Wildcats established early control, leading 18-2 in the opening stages, with Doolittle's offensive prowess playing a central role.
Rillie, who recently advocated for Doolittle to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, emphasized the forward's evolving offensive game. "I think he's very comfortable with who he is," Rillie said. "Offensively in his time with us, it's just how he's chipped away and added to his game over time. He came in and was very comfortable in the mid-range or backing smaller guys down."
Doolittle's improved three-point shooting has become a significant asset, according to Rillie. "Now, with the way his three-ball is evolving, he has good confidence in that. That's a great weapon for him. When you've got to respect that, it really opens up the rest of it for him."
Supporting Cast and Bullets' Response
Elijah Pepper provided valuable support with 20 points, while Jo Lual-Acuil added 15 points and eight rebounds, contributing to the Wildcats' balanced offensive attack. For the Brisbane Bullets, Hunter Maldonado led the scoring with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but the team struggled to contain Perth's early surge.
The game featured a heated moment in the first quarter when Bullets player Terry Taylor appeared to swat away coach Darryl McDonald's hands during an animated discussion. McDonald downplayed the incident, attributing it to the intensity of the game. "It was just a heated moment in the game and nothing more than that," McDonald said. "It was just one turnover that he threw to Holty. I was trying to explain to him 'don't throw it to him up there. We are not going to post him up outside the three-point line.' He doesn't want to get blamed for it, which is understandable."
The victory strengthens Perth's position as they head into a critical matchup against the Sydney Kings, with Duke's return and Doolittle's consistent excellence providing optimism for their finals campaign.
