Basketball On The Internet.

JESSE Wagstaff is 40 years old, and then some, but Perth fans should be genuflecting in awe their six-time NBL champion and games-played record-holder decided to play on in Season 2026-27. For the second time in consecutive games, his contribution has pushed the Wildcats home, first over Adelaide and tonight New Zealand.

Against the 36ers he inspired his team back from the doldrums, allowing for Elijah Pepper and Dylan Windler to stick the winning baskets. 

This time he inspired Perth back from an 11-point deficit before Windler (26 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks) and Pepper (25 points, 5-of-10 threes, 5 assists, 4 rebounds) again delivered the killer blows.

The Breakers were capitalising on Perth's loss of centre Jo Lual-Acuil, who played just 7:38 before being undone by a calf injury.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright was having an "on" night with 30 points, 8 assists and 3 steals, Mojave King (18 points) and Carlin Davison (15) also stepping up to cover rough games for Sam Mennenga (12 points after early foul trouble) and Dejan Vasiljevic, who was an uncustomary 0-of-8 from the floor.

While Pepper continued his excellent form and Windler made it two good games from three, once again new face Anthony Dell'Orso (Ben Who-shall?) was prominent, banking a 15-point, 11-rebound double and five assists.

Round 2 Results, Saturday

Perth Wildcats 97 (Windler 26, Pepper 25, Dell'Orso 15, Doolittle 12, Wagstaff 10; Dell'orso 11 rebs; Dell'Orso, Pepper 5 assts) d New Zealand Breakers 93 (Jackson-Cartwright 30, King 18, Davison 15, Mennenga 12; Davis 6 rebs; Jackson-Cartwright 8 assts) at RAC Arena.

Sunday: Cairns at Adelaide, Illawarra at Sydney