Adelaide 36ers fans have plenty to be excited about after a stunning debut from superstar Bryce Cotton who helped power a strong seven-point win to start the season on Sunday.
Watch live coverage of NBL 2025-26 season with ESPN on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Cotton was at his trademark best in his first league outing for Adelaide since switching from Perth in the off-season, registering 39 points, 6/9 from three-point range and six assists to leave a fighting Brisbane Bullets with no answers at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The Sixers jumped out to steady eight and nine points leads in the first half before Cotton’s fifth three-pointer late in the third finally lifted the home side to their first double-digit advantage of the game.
The Bullets, without Javon Freeman-Liberty, fought back and made it a five-point game with 90 seconds left but a clutch Cotton drew a foul to knock down two free throws as the Sixers held on to win 87-80.
Alongside the five-time NBL champion, Zylan Cheatham stood up with 14 boards, eight points, five assists and three steals, while Isaac Humphries was influential with 13 points and six rebounds.
It was the Sixers’ first win in a season opener since 2015 and a result which breaks a four-game losing streak against the Bullets.
Bullets captain Tyrell Harrison added to his NBA credentials with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists and steals. Casey Prather had a team-high 20 points and six assists while Alex Ducas had 16 points and 3/7 from three-point range.
Wildcats begin post Cotton era | 00:55
SHOW TIME
A wide open dunk from Cheatham in the third quarter followed by Cotton sending his opponent to the floor for a wide open mid-range two had the sold-out 9,429 crowd rocking.
It was a wonderful glimpse of the new Sixers side that seems to be one with the ingredients of one of, if not, the most entertaining team to watch in the competition.
“How good is that to have that explosive athleticism,” Andrew Gaze said on commentary about Cheatham’s dunk.
With former star import Montrezl Harrell exiting the team last Thursday, the Sixers did their best to keep the highlight reels rolling.
COTTON STARTS HOT
It took him nearly half a quarter to register his first points but once he got on the board, there was no stopping for Cotton.
The popular new Sixer scored 13 points in the next three minutes after getting his first bucket and finished the opening quarter with 15 points including 2/2 three-pointers.
Cotton’s first bucket from just inside the three-point line was immediately followed by his first three-pointer 36 seconds later for back-to-back scores.
BULLETS FIGHT
Coming off a tough one-point loss to Cairns, the injury-riddled Bullets meant business in Adelaide after coming back from a nine-point deficit in the second quarter to lead just before half time. They also nearly made a comeback in the first quarter after being eight points down in an impressive start away from home.
Prather and Harrison were the main drivers in the opening half, combining for 25 points at above 80 per cent accuracy.
United dominant in throwdown 29 win | 00:53
KINGS DEALT EARLY REALITY CHECK IN SHOCK LOSS
The Kendric Davis-Matthew Dellavedova era in Sydney is off to a shaky start as Cairns caused a major boilover at the Kingdome.
Expectations were high for the Kings with the addition of last year’s MVP runner-up and NBA champion.
But as they so often do, the Taipans proved the spoilers, overcoming a second-quarter slump to shock the Kings to the tune of 77-74.
The two sides traded the lead back-and-forth throughout the second half, before Cairns opened up a six-point margin inside the final 30 seconds.
A Kouat Noi triple got them back within range, before they had two chances to level the scores in the dying stages.
But a lack of cohesion that typified their afternoon reared its head again, with a turnover and poor shot gifting the visitors the win in front of 8536 fans at Qudos Bank Arena.
Jack McVeigh led all scorers with 24 points (9/14 FG) to go along with nine rebounds and four assists as he stamped his class as one of the competition’s premier players.
It marks an impressive turnaround from the Taipans, overcoming a 37-point defeat in their season opener to record a weekend double.
Deep issues
Sydney’s offence is still very much a work in progress, struggling early doors and failing to fire from three in the first half.
They trailed by as much as nine after the Taipans got out to a hot start, and it wasn’t until late in the second quarter they were able to hit a three, taking them to 1/9 for the half.
They eventually found their groove to take a five-point lead at the main break, however would only go on to shoot 4/28 from three.
Davis had 21 points on 27 shots with their half-court attack failing to test the Taipans.
Taipans clinch game in Sunshine stoush | 01:26
Challenge accepted
Adam Forde could have a future in green once he’s done with coaching, with the Taipans coach successfully overturned three calls in the first half
The first was questionable with Marcus Lee appearing to contact the arm of Tim Soares on a steal attempt.
There was no doubt about the next two, with Forde’s decisions to roll the dice proving fruitful.
Andrew responds
After a lacklustre Cairns debut on Friday night, Andrew Andrews looked much better with an impressive 13 points and seven assists.
That was until he went down with a severe cramp in his right quad, falling to the floor in front of the Kings bench early in the fourth quarter.
Despite still looking ginger, he returned with four minutes to play with the game still in the balance, and hit a big three to give the Taipans the lead.
Classy tribute
The Sydney Kings paid their respects to the late Tiana Mangakahia following her tragic passing earlier this month.
They wore a heart patch on their jerseys with her name and playing number, with a similar decal on the court in front of Sydney’s bench.
The former Flame and Opal was just 30 when she passed away due to breast cancer.