On Saturday, both Game 2s of the NBL semi-final series will be played, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix hosting the Adelaide 36ers and the Perth Wildcats taking on the Sydney Kings.

With the 36ers and Kings holding a 1-0 advantage in their respective series, there could be key adjustments, potential injury concerns and big opportunities for players to step up as the pressure rises.

As Game 2 of both series draws closer, we take a look at the biggest storylines in the latest edition of NBL Finals Talking Points.

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WILDCATS SET TO BE WITHOUT DYLAN WINDLER

The Perth Wildcats will host the Sydney Kings at RAC Arena on Saturday night and are likely to do so without superstar Dylan Windler.

Windler, who has been dealing with an ongoing plantar fascia issue, was seen in the arms of two Wildcats staff members following the conclusion of their Game 1 loss to the Kings. He was walking back to the locker room unable to put pressure on his foot.

Windler finished the game with 17 points, three rebounds, four assists and one steal while shooting 50% from the field against the Kings in Game 1. An update is expected on Friday afternoon, with John Rillie set to face the media ahead of Game 2.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Dylan Windler of the Wildcats drives to the basket against Tyson Walker of Melbourne United during the NBL Play-In Game between the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United at RAC Arena, on March 07, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

If Windler is eventually ruled out, it will be a tough task for the Wildcats to stay in the series. Post-game, Rillie was only able to provide a small update on the star forward.

“He’s been managing that really well over the last X amount of time,” Rillie said.

“In a game like that, someone’s going to be really banged up and hopefully it’s not too bad and he’s done a great job at managing it so hopefully he’ll be able to get back for Saturday.”

The next 24-48 hours will be crucial for both Windler and the Wildcats, with the direction of the series potentially hinging on his availability.

Kings down Wildcats in a thriller | 01:11

LOWERY RESPONDS TO 36ERS SHARPSHOOTER

With Game 2 approaching between the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix, Damon Lowery has doubled down on his prediction that the Phoenix will win the series while also firing back at 36ers sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic.

“Adelaide, see you back in Adelaide for Game 3, where you just might lose on your home court,” Lowery said on NBL Now.

“Let me just say, for all those people out there that want to be a professional predictor, it’s a hard job. It is a hard life out here, man. I’m not a clairvoyant. I can’t see into the future. So my prediction, I thought they would get swept. I was going off form.”

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 10: Nick Rakocevic of the 36ers and Deng Manyang of the 36ers and Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers stand for National Anthem during game one of the NBL Playoff series match between Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on March 10, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“I predicted, after my prediction, that if DJ Vasiljevic was anywhere near a microphone, his smart arse was gonna say something slick, and I knew it. So I got that one right,” Lowery said.

“We like the characters, though. A guy like DJ, he’s not the only one in the league who will clap back if he feels his team or himself has been slighted in any way. No issue, because if somebody would have said that about Damon Lowery’s team all them years ago, I would have had something to say back too.”

For the Phoenix, Lowery placed the emphasis squarely on Nathan Sobey to lead the team to a series victory.

“For South East Melbourne Phoenix, I’m going to put it on Nathan Sobey,” Lowery said.

“I know he almost had a triple-double, but he had one of his worst shooting games. I don’t have a problem with 27 shots, he was trying to put them to the sword and go for 50. I just have a problem with the shooting percentage. I’m going to back Sobey in.”

Cotton performance propels 36ers | 01:29

Lowery believes the responsibility now sits with the Phoenix star, and despite their poor Game 1 performance, his prediction that the Phoenix will win the series remains intact.

CAN THE PHOENIX STOP COTTON?

For the Adelaide 36ers, Bryce Cotton delivered an all-time performance in his first playoff game with the club, leading them to victory with 42 points, five assists and three rebounds while shooting 68% from the field and 54% from three-point range.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix were unable to slow Cotton down or force his supporting cast to beat them, with defensive lapses appearing throughout the game. At times, Cotton was able to bring the ball up the floor without pressure and was given too much space to step into his three-point attempts.

For the Phoenix, there was clearly a physical approach to defending Cotton, with the star attempting just two free throws in the entire contest – well below his season average of 6.4 per game. This will need to be addressed if the Phoenix want to win Game 2 in Melbourne and force the series back to Adelaide for Game 3.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 10: Bryce Cotton of the 36ers and Wes Iwundu of the Phoenix during game one of the NBL Playoff series match between Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on March 10, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

There were also other concerns for the Phoenix. Dejan Vasiljevic provided a spark off the bench with 17 points, while Nick Rakocevic was huge in support of Cotton, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes.

Cotton is now averaging 29.7 points against the Phoenix this season, making the task of slowing him down the top priority for South East Melbourne.

‘He’s a bit delusional’ | 00:46

TORREY CRAIG IS THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE KINGS

The Sydney Kings boast one of the deepest rosters in the NBL, featuring stars such as Kendric Davis, Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova, along with a strong supporting cast including Tim Soares, Jaylin Galloway, Kouat Noi and Makuach Maluach.

However, one name stood out in Game 1 against the Perth Wildcats – Torrey Craig.

Craig delivered a huge performance off the bench, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one block in 27 minutes of action. He shot 57% from the field and 33% from three-point range, adding another offensive weapon for the Kings.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 11: Torrey Craig of the Kings during game one of the NBL playoff series between Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcatse at Qudos Bank Arena, on March 11, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

His ability to create his own shot and finish through contact helped the Kings trade blows with the Wildcats before Davis eventually took control late in the contest.

Defensively, Craig had moments where he struggled against the size of Kristian Doolittle, but his ability to play within the team’s structure and contribute in key moments proved important down the stretch.

In just nine games this season, Craig is averaging 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while also contributing defensively with 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

If the Kings are to go all the way, they will need to continue getting this level of production from the former NBA forward on both ends of the floor.

Wildcats come back to seal semis place | 01:14

CAN DOOLITTLE DO IT ALL FOR THE WILDCATS?

Kristian Doolittle went nuclear for the Perth Wildcats in Game 1, finishing with 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block while shooting 59% from the field and 28% from three-point range.

In the second half, Doolittle exploded for 27 of his 31 points, taking advantage of matchups against Torrey Craig and Matthew Dellavedova. His aggressiveness attacking the paint allowed him to create for both himself and his teammates.

Not a natural point guard, Doolittle is being asked to do a lot for the Wildcats on both ends of the floor. Without Windler, the challenge becomes even greater.

Perth almost played the perfect game in Game 1 and still came up short, losing by a single point.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 11: Kristian Doolittle of the Wildcats looks dejected after defeat during game one of the NBL playoff series between Sydney Kings and Perth Wildcatse at Qudos Bank Arena, on March 11, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

If Doolittle cannot continue producing at that level, many – including Damon Lowery – believe the series may already be over.

“Sydney’s going, we dodged a bullet [by getting that win],” Lowery said on Thursday’s NBL Now.

“I just believe that was the game that Perth should have won and it slipped because that’s basketball.

“I now think Sydney go there [to Perth] and take care of business.”

Doolittle may need another monumental performance if the Wildcats are to extend the series to Game 3 and keep their hopes alive of reaching a Grand Final series against either the Adelaide 36ers or the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

United end JackJumpers’ season | 00:51