Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells has praised his side\u2019s \u201cgrit\u201d following their Game Four win in the NBL Championship Series, while stressing there is still work to be done ahead of Sunday\u2019s decider.<\/p>\n
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Speaking post-match, Wells pointed to his team\u2019s ability to navigate close games all season, crediting both their resilience and growth as a group.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout the entire year we\u2019ve found ways to win. And we have been in a lot of close games. And it\u2019s probably why I got these dark circles and I don\u2019t have any voice to be honest with you.\u201d he said<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the way the whole season went, we had a new group. you kind of figure it out on the fly. And great players end up making the right play and great plays. And we do have a bunch of that on this team. And we\u2019ve got grit, kind of figured out how to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Bryce Cotton of the 36ers reacts during game four of the NBL Grand Final series between Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on April 01, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Wells reserved special praise for Isaac Humphries, who stood tall in the absence of Nick Rakocevic at times due to foul trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cIsaac Humphries, I got to give him a shout out. The guy was unbelievable. Nick [Rakocevic] got some fouls and we had some things going on and he was an All-Star, right? Seven offensive rebounds, 10 total. I brag about my bigs all the time. That\u2019s what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the all-round impact of Zylan Cheatham, who won the MVP for game four.<\/p>\n
\u201cZ [Zylan Cheatham], you know, he had 23 points, 9 assists and eight rebounds. That\u2019s a hell of a stat line. He did it all.\u201d he said<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Issac Humphries of the 36ers and Bryce Cotton of the 36ers celebrate the final buzzer during game four of the NBL Grand Final series between Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on April 01, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
Sharpshooter Dejan Vasiljevic echoed the team\u2019s mindset, making it clear the focus was on denying the Sydney Kings a title celebration on their home floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh man, we just, didn\u2019t want them to celebrate on our court. That was the main goal and we want to take this to game five, which we\u2019ve done. And I think we\u2019ve played through adversity all year. We\u2019ve gone down in second halves and in the first half and we\u2019ve been able to come back and you you\u2019ve got to give credit to the crowd as well. Like without them, this doesn\u2019t happen. And yeah, man, now we go to Sydney and compete for a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about facing his former club, Vasiljevic remained respectful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m part of the media, you try and get me with that one. No, look, as I said, my time in Sydney, like I appreciate still that organisation, what they did for me and taking a chance for me out of college. So for me, like it\u2019s having a third championship in six years and doing it for this city that they haven\u2019t felt success in 26 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 01: Mike Wells head coach of the 36ers and Dejan Vasiljevic of the 36ers celebrate the final buzzer during game four of the NBL Grand Final series between Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings at Adelaide Entertainment Centre, on April 01, 2026, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n