'Didn't need to do it': Wells calls out Perth star

Friday’s Round 22 fixture between the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena felt like a playoff game.

Not only was the fixture extremely intense, but emotions ran high all night.

So much so, they actually boiled over at full-time, with rival coaches, Mike Wells and John Rillie, exchanging pleasantries in the handshake line.

In the post-game press conference, 36ers coach Wells played down the on-court altercation.

“It wasn't a big deal to me what happened at the end, but I didn't think JLA (Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.) needed to go and score at the end when the points differential was no longer a factor for either team,” Well said in the post-game press conference.

“Both teams were in the playoffs already, so I saw no real need.”

Lual-Acuil Jr. threw down a big dunk with ten seconds remaining in the game, with the Wildcats already 10 points ahead.

Rillie, whose team won the fixture 86-74, chimed in on the matter too during his post-game interview.

“Mike can have his thoughts on those moments that happen in a game, but I'm fine with what happened,” he said.

“Americans often don't understand the cultural difference, so it’s a learning experience.”

The inaugural NBL Ignite Cup Final between Adelaide and New Zealand tips off at 4.30pm AEDT on Sunday, live on ESPN and Channel 10.

Then the NBL26 Finals tip off on Wednesday, March 4, with the Seeding Qualifier between South East Melbourne and Perth at John Cain Arena from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.