Blue instead of Red but same MVP Bryce Cotton

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Soon-to-be-Australian Bryce Cotton erased any doubt he's an upgrade to Kendric Davis in the Adelaide 36ers backcourt – torching the Brisbane Bullets for 39 to secure their first win 87-80 of NBL26.

The five-time NBL MVP started where he left off with Perth in NBL25, dropping 39 points on 14-from-23 from the field including 6-from-9 threes.

The Bullets have stumbled to 1-2 amid heavy criticism of new head coach Stu Lash's ability to lead the team but, in fairness, he was without veteran Mitch Norton, Javon Freeman-Liberty and Sam McDaniel in Adelaide, backing up from a road trip to Cairns on Friday night.

Brisbane cut the lead to five late in the game but we're unable to bridge the gap down the stretch.

It's the first time Adelaide has won its season opener in a decade. It comes as Kendric Davis' move to Sydney exploded into controversy earlier this month.

"It felt good, the crowd was amazing, I think it was worth the hype to start the season," Cotton said.

Key Details

• Result: Adelaide 36ers 87 def. Brisbane Bullets 80
• When: 28th September 2025
• Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

By the Numbers

• Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers) starred with 39 points, three rebounds, six assists and one steal in 37 minutes.
• Casey Prather (Brisbane Bullets) scored 20 points, and had four rebounds, six assists and one steal in 34 minutes.

What Happened

The Adelaide 36ers established control early, taking a 27-23 lead after the first quarter behind Cotton's hot shooting. The home side maintained their advantage into halftime with a 48-47 edge before breaking the game open in the third period, outscoring Brisbane 29-20 to build a comfortable cushion. Though Brisbane mounted a comeback attempt in the final quarter (13-10), Adelaide's earlier dominance proved enough to secure the seven-point victory.

Cotton delivered a masterclass at crucial moments, including a devastating three-pointer with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter that pushed Adelaide's lead to 16 points – their largest of the game. His efficiency was remarkable, connecting on 14-from-23 from the field including 6-from-9 from beyond the arc.

The 36ers' balanced attack complemented Cotton's stellar performance. Isaac Humphries contributed an efficient 13 points on perfect 4-from-4 shooting while Zylan Cheatham dominated the glass with 14 rebounds alongside eight points, five assists and three steals. The duo's interior presence helped Adelaide control the paint throughout the contest.

Brisbane's Tyrell Harrison fought valiantly in defeat, tallying 17 points and 12 rebounds on an impressive 7-from-8 shooting. Casey Prather added 20 points and six assists, but the Bullets struggled to maintain consistent offensive production against Adelaide's swarming defence.

The 36ers' superior three-point shooting proved decisive. They connected on 9-from-29 attempts (31%) compared to Brisbane's 7-from-26 (26.9%). Adelaide also displayed excellent ball security down the stretch, committing just 14 turnovers despite Brisbane's six steals.

With this victory, Adelaide begins their NBL26 campaign on a positive note, while Brisbane will look to rebound. The game featured 19 lead changes, highlighting the competitive nature of this early-season matchup.