The prodigal son returned to the West Sydney Razorbacks on Wednesday night - and just as well.

Boomers guard John Rillie picked up from where he left the national basketball league last season, exploding off the bench with 33 points to spark West Sydney's 101-99 win over the Wollongong Hawks.

West Sydney desperately needed a hero after learning just before tip-off that its already swollen injury list would also boast skipper Derek Rucker (fractured elbow) for the next four to six weeks.

Rucker's omission was the last thing West Sydney needed to hear lining up against the massive No.2 Hawks outfit after already losing starting forwards Simon Dwight and Russell Hinder (knee) to injury.

But Rillie showed no rust in his first game back for the Pigs after a failed Greek league stint for AEK Athens, helping West Sydney hold off a gutsy Hawks comeback.

A late 10-0 run by Wollongong capped off by a booming three by import Cortez Groves locked up the scores at 99-99 with just 40 seconds left before, you guessed it, Rillie stepped up.

Rillie hit yet another basket to ensure the win - much to the relief of his rabid fans.

Banners such as "Welcome back JR" and "Rillie's back - what the F-AEK?" were strewn throughout the crowd, showing just how popular Rillie had become since guiding the Pigs to the NBL grand final last season.

Rillie - who ignored overtures from Townsville and Melbourne to re-sign with West Sydney last weekend - said his game plan was simple.

"Rucker was out so there was a few shots to be put up," Rillie said.

"Wollongong has played four games in seven days so to take that in perspective, that was a pretty good effort."

West Sydney moved to a 8-7 record and back into the top six while Wollongong (11-5) remained in second spot.

Besides Rillie, Sam Mackinnon had 19 points before fouling out in the final minutes, guard Aaron Trahair had 11 and Willie Farley 11.

For Wollongong, form centre Ben Pepper had 20 points, Groves 19 and Glen Saville 16.

"It was a big relief. I was feeling fairly down at the tip-off knowing I was going to be out for a while and the only thing that was going to cheer me up was a win - and the guys did it," Rucker said.

"Johnnie lost his legs towards the end which is understandable because he hasn't played that much over the last month but to come back and bust 33 points on a very good defensive team is a really good effort."

Rillie wasted little time slotting back into the Pigs' line-up by notching eight points in the first quarter.

But the Hawks weren't to be denied, swooping on a 31-27 lead at the first break thanks to 53 per cent shooting from the field and eight points from Pepper.

Pepper's presence in the paint blew Wollongong's lead out to 37-30 early in the second quarter - then Rillie found his range.

Rillie hit his first three pointer in his NBL comeback barely four minutes into the second quarter then celebrated with another bomb to lock up the scores 39-39.

By halftime, Rillie had 20 points, handing the Pigs a 53-49 advantage.

West Sydney hit the ground running in the third, going on a 13-0 run that secured an 80-66 lead going into the fourth.

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