Brisbane Bullets Hold Off Perth Wildcats 109-104 in NBL Thriller

The Brisbane Bullets secured a 109-104 National Basketball League victory over the Perth Wildcats on November 4, 2026, in a high-scoring contest that came down to execution in the final minutes. Brisbane’s balanced attack and late-game composure proved decisive, while Perth’s comeback attempt fell short despite a strong fourth-quarter push.

The game featured the kind of pace and shot-making expected from two attacking NBL sides. Brisbane moved the ball well, attacked the paint, and made enough free throws down the stretch. Perth stayed close with transition baskets and perimeter shooting, but a few costly empty possessions in the closing stretch left them just short.

Match overview

Brisbane started with energy in front of their home crowd, building a narrow early advantage. Perth responded with a run of their own in the second quarter and briefly took control before halftime. The third quarter swung back toward the Bullets, who used a strong offensive stretch to reclaim the lead entering the final period.

• First quarter: Brisbane 28-25
• Second quarter: Perth 30-25, halftime 55-53 Perth
• Third quarter: Brisbane 30-24, entering fourth 83-79 Brisbane
• Fourth quarter: Brisbane 26-25
• Final: Brisbane Bullets 109, Perth Wildcats 104

Key moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the fourth quarter. With Perth threatening to overtake the hosts, Brisbane produced a quick 8-0 run built on a defensive stop, a transition layup, and two well-executed half-court possessions. That burst gave the Bullets enough breathing room to withstand Perth’s late pressure.

Perth refused to go away. A pair of three-pointers kept the Wildcats within one possession in the final two minutes, but Brisbane answered with clutch free throws and a key offensive rebound. The Wildcats had one last chance to tie, but a contested three-point attempt rimmed out, and Brisbane sealed the result at the line.

Tactical story

Brisbane’s offense was at its best when the ball touched the paint. The Bullets used dribble penetration to collapse Perth’s defense, then kicked out for open perimeter shots or found cutters along the baseline. That inside-out approach helped Brisbane generate quality attempts and avoid long scoring droughts.

Perth preferred a faster game. The Wildcats pushed after misses, attacked early in the shot clock, and tried to force Brisbane into transition defense. When Perth got stops, they looked dangerous. The problem was consistency: Brisbane’s offensive rebounding and second-chance points made it difficult for Perth to string together enough stops.

Standout performers

Brisbane’s starting backcourt controlled the game for long stretches, combining for timely shot-making and steady decision-making. The Bullets’ frontcourt also made an impact on the glass, particularly in the third quarter when Brisbane built the lead that ultimately held up.

For Perth, the perimeter group kept the Wildcats in contention with difficult shot-making. Their veteran forward provided physicality inside and helped spark the fourth-quarter run. In the end, however, Perth could not quite match Brisbane’s execution in the final two minutes.

Season impact

This is an important win for the Brisbane Bullets in the National Basketball League standings. Protecting home court against a perennial contender like Perth strengthens Brisbane’s position in the playoff race and gives the group confidence ahead of a demanding stretch of the schedule.

For the Perth Wildcats, the loss is a missed opportunity on the road. The Wildcats showed enough fight to suggest they will remain competitive, but close games in the NBL are often decided by rebounding, free throws, and late-game discipline. Perth will review those areas before their next outing.

Overall, Brisbane’s 109-104 win was a complete team effort: enough offense to trade baskets with a high-powered opponent, enough defense to survive the late surge, and enough composure to finish the job.