Perth Wildcats import Dylan Windler has stolen the spotlight from former NBA teammate Brandon Knight, with an incredible final quarter to lift his team to a 100-84 victory over New Zealand Breakers.

All eyes were on Knight as he made his debut but it was Windler who turned the game. He scored 18 points in the final quarter to finish with 32 points for the night during the 16-point win at RAC Arena. Windler scored seven three-pointers in a huge performance.

It wasn’t without a scare though because Sam Mennenga had a massive night with 40 points and 18 rebounds for New Zealand and threatened to win the game by himself.

But Elijah Pepper was huge for Perth, making a mockery of suggestions he could lose playing time due to Knight’s arrival. He was brilliant with 25 points. And captain Jesse Wagstaff made sure Knight wasn’t the only veteran being talked about after constantly making big plays. Wagstaff finished with 13 points, four rebounds and six assists.

All eyes were on Knight during his NBL debut. Perth recruited the NBA veteran as a connector, saying they needed someone who could do more than just score. They wanted an import who could do a bit of everything and that was what he brought. The American ticked off all of the key stat categories in the first eight minutes as he showed off all of his experience and skill.

He played for 19 minutes and finished with six points, two rebounds, one assist, a block and two steals.

New Zealand star Parker Jackson-Cartwright was ruled out of the match on game day due to a lower leg injury. The brilliant guard arrived at RAC Arena on crutches and is expected to be sidelined for at least three games.

But Mennenga made up for his absence. The big man had an extraordinary first quarter with 17 points, seven rebounds and one assist as he contributed to almost all of the Breakers’ 22 points.

Mennenga didn’t back off then either. He had a double-double after only 14 minutes. Nobody else had managed more than two rebounds at that point and nobody else had reached double figures for scoring.

But as good as he was, the Wildcats’ even contribution from their stars meant they had options everywhere.

The game turned on a crucial call late in the second quarter. Mennenga thought he’d scored his 27th point for the game and put New Zealand four points up, but he was penalised for a charging foul on Kristian Doolittle and went to the bench to rest for the last minute.

Perth seized upon that opportunity and went to half-time full of momentum after surging to a 41-38 lead.

Then they went on an absolute tear to start the third quarter with four successive three-pointers as they raced to a 10-point lead.

Anthony Dell’Orso was big during that run as he continued his impressive start to life in the NBL.

The problem was Mennenga kept producing big plays and New Zealand levelled the scores again midway through the third quarter as he ticked off his 30th point.

Then Wagstaff made his mark with huge plays at both ends of the court. He returned to start the final quarter and instantly nailed a three-pointer and then Windler finished the Breakers off.