Bryce is nice: Cotton drops 30 on Sydney Kings

• Wildcats move to 17-11 into third outright on ladder
• Sydney Kings drop to 16-12 and into fourth
• Bryce Cotton delivers 30-piece in dominant performance

Perth Wildcats delivered a masterclass performance to outgun the Sydney Kings 104-97 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in a season-defining NBL round 19 clash.

Led by the irrepressible Bryce Cotton's 30-point display, the Wildcats seized control early and never relinquished their grip, catapulting themselves into third place on the NBL ladder.

The Wildcats set the tone from the opening tip, racing to an 18-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Their relentless offensive rebounding and ability to capitalise on Kings' turnovers proved decisive, as Perth consistently found answers to Sydney's attempts at a comeback.

Cotton's sharpshooting was on full display, with two crucial three-pointers to close the third quarter and another six points to open the fourth, effectively sealing the contest.

In stark contrast, Sydney's star guard Jaylen Adams endured a nightmare outing. Hampered by early foul trouble, Adams was a non-factor, managing just one point in 14 minutes before fouling out early in the final period. His absence left a gaping hole in the Kings' offense that they simply couldn't fill, despite valiant efforts from Alex Toohey (23 points) and Kouat Noi (24 points).

The statistics told the tale of Perth's dominance. The Wildcats hauled in a staggering 23 offensive rebounds, converting them into 23 second-chance points. They also punished Sydney's carelessness, scoring 24 points off 15 Kings turnovers while committing only seven of their own. This efficiency on both ends of the court allowed Perth to maintain their lead throughout, despite Sydney's 30-for-35 performance from the free-throw line.

Cotton's stellar performance further bolstered his case for a fifth MVP award. Beyond his 30 points, the Wildcats' talisman contributed five steals, four assists, and three rebounds, orchestrating Perth's offence with surgical precision.

The victory carries significant playoff implications for both teams. Perth (17-11) now sits firmly in third place, while Sydney (16-12) drops to fourth and could potentially slide to fifth depending on results in the final round.

The Wildcats will look to cement their position when they host the Adelaide 36ers in their regular-season finale, while the Kings face a daunting trip to league-leaders Illawarra Hawks. With home-court advantage in the playoffs potentially on the line, both teams will be desperate to end their campaigns on a high note.