G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats score, result: Holland, Buzelis and Sarr impress at NBA G League Fall invitational

Benyam Kidane

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G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats score, result: Holland, Buzelis and Sarr impress at NBA G League Fall invitational image

The G League Ignite got their preseason underway with a 124-105 win over the Perth Wildcats at the G League Fall Invitational.

In a matchup featuring a host of 2024 Draft prospects, Ron Holland was the man for the Ignite, leading six players in double-figure scoring with 23 points, four rebounds, and three steals on an efficient 9-of-13 from the field, while Matas Buzelis added 16 points and five rebounds.

Jordan Usher led the Wildcats with 22 points, but it was French prospect Alex Sarr who was the star of the show, with the 18-year-old dominating on both ends with 17 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high six blocks.

MORE: Bronny James, Matas Buzelis headline 2024 NBA Draft prospects to watch

If you missed any of the action, The Sporting News tracked all the live updates, highlights and stats from Wildcats vs. Ignite below.

G League Ignite vs Perth Wildcats score

Team 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Wildcats 19 31 27 28 105
Ignite 30 30 36 28 124

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

FINAL: Ignite 124, Wildcats 105

11:19 p.m. — Alex Sarr's defense has been monstrous tonight. That's SIX blocks for him.

11:16 p.m. — The Ron Holland x Matas Buzelis connection is on one tonight!

11:04 p.m. — Buzelis' confidence has gone to another level in the second half. He's attacking the rim with confidence and pulls off the behind-the-back dribble to the rim for the and-1 play. He follows it up with a block on the other end. He's got 14 points in the game as the Ignite lead 116-86.

10:58 p.m. — Buzelis buries back-to-back triples to restore the Ignite's 19-point lead at 101-82.

End of third quarter: Ignite 96, Wildcats 77

10:51 p.m. — It's a 19-point lead for the Ignite heading into the final frame. Babacar Sane now has 12 points and Izan Almansa 10.

10:48 p.m. — The Wildcats continue to chip away at the lead but each time they've made a run, the Ignite have found a response. Ignite lead 88-73.

10:40 p.m. — Buzelis takes it right to the hole and punches it home for two. With his shot not falling, these are the types of actions you want to see from the 18-year-old. 

10:36 p.m. — Bryce Cotton hasn't had the shot falling tonight, going just 2-of-12 from the field and 1-of-7 from the 3-point line. 

10:31 p.m. —  Sarr picks up right where he left off in the first half, starting the third quarter with hig first triple of the game. He's filling it up with 13 points, six rebounds, and five blocks on 5-of-11 shooting. 

Alex Sarr (Perth Wildcats) 09062023
Getty Images

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.

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. 

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. 

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!

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. 

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!

9:15 p.m. — Alex Sarr takes flight for the JAM! 

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.”

8:22 p.m. — The Ignite squad is in the building. 

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

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.