Perth Wildcats coach slams team for NBL loss to Sydney Kings after Ben Henshall and Dylan Windler didn’t play

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie has slammed his players for their effort during an 18-point loss to the Sydney Kings, saying they lacked discipline, hunger and attention to detail, while giving them no excuses for missing key players due to injury.

The Wildcats lost 102-84 at Qudos Bank Arena to end their chances of climbing to third spot and risk dropping out of the top four due to the impact the defeat had on their percentage. They have only one game remaining in the regular season against Adelaide at RAC Arena on Friday night.

Perth had no answer to Kendric Davis who scored 30 points and had 10 assists. The Kings have now won 10 games in a row and their average winning margin in three games against the Wildcats has been 23 points.

Rillie said they had failed a huge test.

“The way we showed up and performed, that isn’t championship level material,” Rillie said.

“We talked about their ability to play in transition, clap back after makes and offensive rebounds. It was unacceptable. When I review the tape, the grading is going to look like my bloody high school report card.

“What we were playing for as far as us growing as a group - it’s not the opposition because they are playing at a phenomenal level right now - but the way we performed is not how we have been performing of late.

“The Kings have just dominated us 3-0 in the regular season. The way they are playing right now with the confidence and the pace, if you don’t give that the attention to detail that’s required, you are in a game like we were tonight. That’s not going to get you anywhere.”

Perth have been hard hit by injury lately and were missing import Dylan Windlder (hip), guard Ben Henshall (ankle) and guard Jaron Rillie (hamstring). Dontae Russo-Nance hobbled off late in the match but the club isn’t concerned.

Rillie said none of his players could use the absence of stars as an excuse for the result because they had the chance to compete against the best and failed.

“Everyone is always looking for opportunity. Tonight was a great test,” he said.

“After next week there is no coming back after you lose. We’ve been in this mentality for a little bit of our season and tonight was the ultimate test. I never worry about the scoreboard because if you have attention to detail and do all the things, that will work out for itself. Tonight we just didn’t have the application and discipline in certain moments to give ourselves a legit chance.

“Too many times the ball hit the ground and they came up with the ball. They are momentum killing types of plays. They were the hungrier team tonight.

“You talk about guys wanting chances - the easiest way is to go and find the ball. they found the ball. That’s a trend of what they’re doing right now. If you don’t match them in that area it is going to be a really long night.”