Perth Wildcats fans can breathe a cautious sigh of relief after scans revealed import Dylan Windler escaped major structural damage to his injured ankle.
Injury Scare on the Road
The American forward went down in clear distress during the final quarter of Sunday's away victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers. The incident occurred when Windler inadvertently stepped on the foot of opponent Will Magnay, causing his ankle to roll. Given his well-documented history of ankle problems, there was immediate concern within the club about a potentially lengthy setback.
However, in a positive turn for the Wildcats, the injury has been assessed as not serious. Windler did not require formal medical scans and his recovery has progressed well in the initial days following the incident. The club will now give him the entire week to prove his fitness ahead of a crucial Sunday fixture against the Adelaide 36ers.
Teammate Praise and Rehab Focus
Wildcats guard Sunday Dech spoke highly of Windler's professionalism in dealing with the frustrating setback. "He's a true professional," Dech stated. "We were bummed he wasn't out there and couldn't finish the game against Tassie but he's with the medical staff and is in good hands. This isn't his first rodeo with ankles."
Dech emphasised the mental challenge of recurring injuries, noting the monotonous nature of repeated rehabilitation. "It's just annoying because you do all the prep work and rehab to get back, and then you do it again," he said. "But in our profession, to win and to stay consistent and be ready for games, you've got to embrace the boring stuff."
He confirmed Windler is diligently following the required protocols, including rigorous icing schedules, to give himself the best chance to play.
Wildcats' Strong Road Form Continues
The injury occurred during another impressive away performance by the Wildcats, who defeated Tasmania 94-85 at MyState Bank Arena. The win improved their season record to 11 wins and 9 losses, but more notably highlighted a stark contrast in their home and away form.
Perth has been formidable on the road, securing 7 victories from 10 away games. This stands in contrast to their struggles at RAC Arena, where they have won only four of their ten matches. This resilience away from home is becoming a defining characteristic of their season.
Dech explained the team's mindset when travelling. "When we go on the road, it is an us against the world mentality," he said. "We lock in and we really live for the moment of silencing the crowd. Tassie is a tough environment to play in and I think we did really well to come away with the win."
This mentality will be tested again immediately, as the Wildcats face a stretch of four consecutive matches away from Perth. Their next challenge is against Bryce Cotton and the Adelaide 36ers this Sunday, where they hope to have a recovered Dylan Windler back in the line-up.
