The G League Ignite get their preseason preparations underway with a matchup against the Perth Wildcats in Las Vegas.
The 10-time NBL champions are headlined by NBL Next Star Alexandre Sarr, a projected top-20 pick, as well as fellow draft prospects Dontae Russo-Nance and David Okwera, along with veteran Bryce Cotton and two-time NBL Most Improved Player of the Year Keanu Pinder.
The Ignite’s 2023-24 roster boasts plenty of future NBA talent, headlined by McDonald’s All-Americans Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland, who are currently projected to be top 3 picks in 2024, according to ESPN.
MORE: Bronny James, Matas Buzelis headline 2024 NBA Draft prospects to watch
The Sporting News is tracking all the action from the Wildcats vs. Ignite below.
G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats score
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
Wildcats | 19 | 31 | |||
Ignite | 30 | 30 |
MORE: Why G League Ignite’s Matas Buzelis is in contention for No. 1 pick in 2024
G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats updates, highlights
(All times Eastern)
BOX SCORE: Ignite vs. Wildcats
Halftime: Ignite 60, Wildcats 50
The Wildcats get back to within 10 points thanks to a strong defensive effort from Alex Sarr.
Sarr leads the Wildcats with eight points, five rebounds, and three blocks, while Bryce Cotton has eight points.
John Jenkins leads the Ignite with 14 points, five assists, and two rebounds, Ron Holland 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting
10:03 p.m. — ALEX SARR!
Matas Buzelis takes it to the rim and is denied by Sarr, not once, but twice! The French prospect is using every bit of his 7-1 frame on the defensive end.
ALEX SARR ON BOTH ENDS!! #GLeagueFallInvitational
📲 Watch live on the NBA App & NBA TV: https://t.co/4GKCIB48MK pic.twitter.com/A3Vy3913rg
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) September 7, 2023
10:01 p.m. — Holland is taking over for the Ignite! Three straight possessions he has knifed through the Wildcats’ defense with two drives and a stepback triple.
Ron Holland doing SPECIAL things pic.twitter.com/AuTsj9dqta
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) September 7, 2023
9:58 p.m. — Ron Holland has looked extremely comfortable with the ball in his hands looking for his own shot. He puts the moves on his defender and gets his shot off to make it nine points in the game.
9:44 p.m. — Buzelis going to work inside to give the Ignite a 47-34 lead midway through the second.
fancy moves you got there! 🕺 @BuzelisMatas pic.twitter.com/jWQNWbPiL5
— NBA G League Ignite (@gleagueignite) September 7, 2023
End of first quarter: Ignite 30, Wildcats 19
9:39 p.m. — Babacar Sane beats the buzzer from deep to give the Ignite a double-digit lead at the end of Q1.
After a slow start, the Ignite closed the quarter on a 30-10 run!
BABACAR AT THE BUZZER‼️⚡️@gleagueignite went on a 30-10 run to take an 11-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
📲: NBA TV & NBA App pic.twitter.com/mPg6Hx2qqM
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) September 7, 2023
9:31 p.m. — With a host of NBA Draft talent on the floor, French big man Alex Sarr has been the most impressive prospect on the floor, running the floor well and getting to his spots.
Here for the Ignite-Perth exhibition games this week. A ton of potential lottery picks and intriguing prospects to watch tonight and Friday.
My top 5 in this game and their overall ranking:
1. Matas Buzelis
2. Ron Holland
5. Izan Almansa
16. Thierry Darlan
17. Alex Sarr pic.twitter.com/nFZas1WdV7— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) September 7, 2023
9:25 p.m. — The Ignite has been impressive with their activity on the defensive end, switching everything. They take a 17-14 lead late in Q1.
9:20 p.m. — John Jenkins is cooming early for the Ignite!
John Jenkins’ RED HOT start has led @gleagueignite on a 15-3 first quarter run! ⚡️
📲: NBA TV & NBA App #GLeagueFallInvitational pic.twitter.com/7z1Jrabaw4
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) September 7, 2023
9:15 p.m. — Alex Sarr takes flight for the JAM!
Alex Sarr gets his first points with a dunk in transition! pic.twitter.com/709LgI97Zm
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) September 7, 2023
9:13 p.m. — A fast start for the Wildcats as Tai Webster connects from the corner to make it a 7-0 run to start the game.
Pre-game
8:30 p.m. — The Wildcats will start with Bryce Cotton, Tai Webster, Jordan Usher, Jesse Wagstaff, and Alex Sarr.
The Ignite will start with London Johnson, Josh Jenkins, Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis and Eric Mika.
8:24 p.m. — Johnson excited to take on Bryce Cotton
2024 NBA Draft prospect London Johnson faces a tough test against three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton — a challenge he says he’s looking forward to.
“Some of my teammates have actually told me about him and I’ve watched a bit of film on him so I’m excited to play against him,” Johnson said.
“I feel like that’s one advantage we have with the Ignite that other guys in college don’t get, playing against other pros and different players over here.”
our vet David Stockton working with our young NBA Draft prospect London Johnson after practice 💯 pic.twitter.com/Ew0IOawYxP
— NBA G League Ignite (@gleagueignite) September 1, 2023
8:22 p.m. — The Ignite squad is in the building.
the team has arrived 🏠⚡️
game day 🆚 @PerthWildcats
⏰ 6pm pst / 9pm et
📲 tune in @NBATV and the NBA App pic.twitter.com/KcCdXQ3mZT— NBA G League Ignite (@gleagueignite) September 6, 2023
Where to watch G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 6
- Time: 9:00 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. AEST
- TV channel: NBA TV
- Live Stream: NBA League Pass | Sling TV
The Wildcats will take on the Ignite on Wednesday, September 6 at The Dollar Loan Center in Las Vegas. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:00 p.m. ET.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the game on Sling TV, which is now offering half off your first month! You can stream the sports you love starting at just $20 in your first month. By adding the Sports Extra pack you can also get access to more hoops on NBATV.
Perth Wildcats Roster
No | Player | Position | Height | Age |
11 | Bryce Cotton | G | 5-10 | 30 |
10 | Ben Henshall | G | 6-5 | 19 |
20 | Alex Sarr | F | 7-1 | 18 |
10 | Corey Webster | G | 6-2 | 34 |
35 | David Okwera | F | 6-9 | 20 |
1 | Dontae Russo-Nance | G | 6-3 | 18 |
13 | Hyrum Harris | F | 6-8 | 20 |
12 | Jack Andrew | F | 6-8 | 22 |
24 | Jesse Wagstaff | F | 6-8 | 37 |
25 | Keanu Pinder | F | 6-11 | 28 |
8 | Jordan Usher | F | 6-7 | 25 |
22 | Kyle Zunic | G | 6-2 | 24 |
17 | Michael Harris | G | 6-4 | 23 |
0 | Tai Webster | G | 6-4 | 28 |
G League Ignite roster
No | Player | Position | Height | Age |
13 | Matas Buzelis | F | 6-11 | 18 |
5 | Izan Almanza | F | 6-10 | 18 |
0 | Ron Holland | F | 6-8 | 17 |
84 | Thierry Darlan | G | 6-6 | 19 |
3 | Admon Gilder | G | 6-4 | 27 |
2 | London Johnson | G | 6-4 | 19 |
23 | John Jenkins | G | 6-4 | 32 |
8 | Jeremy Pargo | G | 6-2 | 37 |
1 | Dink Pate | G | 6-7 | 17 |
4 | Babacar Sane | G | 6-6 | 19 |
12 | Eric Mika | C | 6-10 | 28 |
11 | Tyler Smith | F | 6-10 | 18 |
33 | David Stockton | G | 5-11 | 32 |