The Adelaide Lightning return to the Spark House on Sunday for their second game of Round 12, with a clash against competition heavyweights the Townsville Fire coming at a crucial stage of the WNBL season.
Adelaide come into the matchup off a challenging road outing against the Perth Lynx, where late resilience and strong defensive execution provided positives despite the result. The Lightning showed their trademark fight, lifting the tempo in the final quarter and continuing to apply pressure until the final siren.
One of the key takeaways for Adelaide was their ability to execute team defence against elite opposition. The Lightning will again be tasked with controlling the glass and limiting interior scoring, while looking to generate offence through pace, ball movement and transition opportunities.
Townsville will arrive in Adelaide following a New Year’s Eve home loss to ladder leaders and defending champions Bendigo. Without Lauren Cox (knee) and Courtney Wood (hamstring), the Fire’s rotations will be tested and increased responsibility will be placed on the remaining core to provide scoring, rebounding and leadership.
For the Lightning, capitalising on home-court advantage and sustaining intensity from the opening tip will be crucial as they look to remain in the finals hunt. With the season entering its decisive phase, round 12 presents an important opportunity for Adelaide to measure themselves against one of the league’s benchmark teams.
Key Matchups & Focus Areas
Sania Feagin & Charlotte Whittaker (Adelaide) vs Alicia Froling (Townsville)
With Townsville missing Lauren Cox, Feagin and Whittaker will share the responsibility of containing Froling in the paint, where her strength and touch around the basket make her a focal point. Adelaide’s interior defence and rebounding discipline will be key in limiting second-chance opportunities.
Dallas Loughridge (Adelaide) vs Ellis, Fowler & Sowah (Townsville)
Loughridge’s perimeter shooting and off-ball movement will be tested by a versatile Townsville wing rotation featuring Australian Opals squad members Abbey Ellis, Alex Fowler and Miela Sowah. Adelaide will look to free Loughridge through ball movement and screening actions, while Townsville’s length, athleticism and defensive pressure on the perimeter aim to limit clean looks and control the tempo on the wing.
Lightning Bench Energy vs Fire Depth
Adelaide’s bench has shown growing confidence and impact in recent weeks. Matching Townsville’s rotation minutes and maintaining intensity when starters rest will be a key factor across four quarters.
Adelaide Lightning vs Townsville Fire
📅 Sunday 4 January 2026
⏰ Family Zone from 4.30pm | Tip Off 6.00pm ACDT
📍 SA State Basketball Centre
📺 9Now | ESPN on Disney+ | ESPN
