Brisbane Bullets can't sink any lower than 10th

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Before the FIBA Break the question was how would Melbourne celebrate their NBL26 championship after finally breaking through after a heart-breaking losses in NBL25 and NBL24.

The question now is can they get their season back on track against the Illawarra Hawks, a NBL25 Grand Final rematch, on Thursday in game 2 of Round 13. It's cost Melbourne another spot in the basketball.com.au Power Rankings.

At the other end of the ledger, the Brisbane Bullets have dropped as far as they can go. They're now last. The Bullets have lost 10 of their last 11 at home after an almost emotionless 24-point drubbing by the Wildcats ... and absolute punish for Brisbane fans.

Every round basketball.com.au will adjust the NBL26 Power Rankings. Look for ➡️ ⬆️ ⬇️ ➡️ ↘️ ↗️ next to each name to quickly see how teams are moving.

NBL Power Rankings — After Round 12

➡️ 1. Adelaide 36ers

Record: 14–3 │ Streak: W–W–W–W–W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,585 / 1,467 │ Avg: 93.2 / 86.3 │ Diff: 118 │ Last Week: 1

• Why They’re Here: Nothing has changed at the top. Adelaide's wild OT win against Melbourne pushed United further down the rankings. They control tempo, punish mistakes, and rarely lose composure late. The identity is locked in — physical, disciplined, and deep — and they have Bryce Cotton.
• Trending Up: Stability. Every rotation player knows their role, and their margin for error is larger than anyone else’s. Isaac Humphries is on the same page as Cotton.
• Outlook: Now are the clear No.1 seed favourite. The bar for everyone else is now Adelaide, not the ladder.

⬆️ 2. South East Melbourne Phoenix

Record: 11–6 │ Streak: L-L-W-L-W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,648 / 1,517 │ Avg: 96.9 / 89.2 │ Diff: 131 │ Last Week: 3

• Why They’re Here: The biggest mover of the round. SEM are overwhelming teams with pace, spacing, and relentless scoring pressure. Their net differential is now elite, and they’re winning games decisively rather than scraping through them. It was a tough loss against the JackJumpers but a professional response against the Breakers is a reminder they are always tough.
• Trending Up: Offensive confidence. When their guards are dictating tempo, they look almost impossible to slow down. They also have the best on ball defender in the league, John Brown.
• Outlook: A genuine Top-2 threat. If the defense holds, this is a championship-level profile.

⬇️ 3. Melbourne United

Record: 13–6 │ Streak: W-L-L-L-L │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,821 / 1,701 │ Avg: 95.8 / 89.5 │ Diff: 120 │ │ Last Week: 2

• Why They’re Here: Still one of the league’s best teams, but the slide continues, after starting 9-0 they've gone 4-6 since and lost four straight. Despite leading the league in total points scored (1,821), their defensive edge and late-game execution have softened.
• Trending Up: Firepower. The offense can still overwhelm anyone on the right night.
• Outlook: High ceiling, but no longer bulletproof. Finals certainty — Top-2 no longer guaranteed.

⬆️ 4. Sydney Kings

Record: 9–7 │ Streak: W-L-L-W-W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,474 / 1,376 │ Avg: 92.1 / 86.0 │ Diff: 98 │ Last Week: 5

• Why They’re Here: Momentum matters — and Sydney have it. They’re winning the games they need to win, and their guard play has stabilised after an uneven first half of the season. Back to back road wins against Perth and then Melbourne put the Kings firmly in the fame for the top 4.
• Trending Up: Late-game decision-making and defensive buy-in and Kendric Davis is back to his best. He's an elite finisher.
• Outlook: Finals-bound. The question is whether they can climb another rung before the New Year.

⬇️ 5. Perth Wildcats

Record: 10–8 │ Streak: L-W-L-L-W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,601 / 1,563 │ Avg: 88.9 / 86.8 │ Diff: 38 │  Last Week: 4

• Why They’re Here: Perth remain competitive but still reeling from the 4th quarter collapse against Cotton's 36ers. The edge that usually defines them at RAC Arena hasn’t translated consistently on the road. The win against Brisbane Bullets looked like a just-enough performance against the worst team in the league.
• Trending Up: Veteran composure still wins them close games.
• Outlook: Finals team, but vulnerable. They’ll need sharper defence to threaten the Top 4.

➡️ 6. Tasmania JackJumpers

Record: 8–10 │ Streak: L-W-L-W-W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,541 / 1,550 │ Avg: 85.6 / 86.1 │ Diff: -9 │ Last Week: 6

• Why They’re Here: Tasmania are exactly what their record says — tough, physical, and grinding, but limited offensively. They stay competitive without ever fully taking control.
• Trending Up: Effort never dips.
• Outlook: On the Finals bubble. Every remaining game feels like an elimination test.

➡️ 7. New Zealand Breakers

Record: 7–11 │ Streak: L-W-W-W-L │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,598 / 1,590 │ Avg: 88.8 / 88.3 │ Diff: +8 │ Last Week: 7

• Why They’re Here: The positive differential tells the story — competitive in patches, inconsistent across full games. Too many near-misses.
• Trending Up: Defensive stretches that hint at something better. Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga are playing great ball at the moment.
• Outlook: Slim Finals hopes. They need a surge, not just respectability.

➡️ 8. Illawarra Hawks

Record: 6–10 │ Streak: L-L-W-L-W │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,444 / 1,551 / –107 │ Avg: 90.2 / 96.9 │ Diff: -107 │ Last Week: 8

• Why They’re Here: Effort hasn’t been enough to overcome chemistry gaps. The margins are catching up with them.
• Trending Up: QJ Peterson is an elite scorer and JaVale McGee is the best centre in the league.
• Outlook: Outside the Finals picture but there is still time for the defending champions. The Play-In looks more and more likely.

⬆️ 9. Cairns Taipans

Record: 4–13 │ Streak: L-L-L-W-L │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,382 / 1,604 │ Avg: 81.3 / 94.4 │ Diff: -222 │ Last Week: 10

• Why They’re Here: Still struggling, but no longer dead last because Brisbane has lost its way completely. Effort and competitiveness have improved even as results lag. The return of Sam Waardenburg is big time for Adam Forde and his ability to shift the focus of his offense.
• Trending Up: Andrew Andrews is playing solid hoops but they need to make sure Waardenburg takes some of the responsibility on the offensive side of the ball.
• Outlook: Spoon danger remains real, but they’re not rolling over.

⬇️ 10. Brisbane Bullets

Record: 5–13 │ Streak: L-L-L-L-L │ Pts For / Against / Diff: 1,543 / 1,718 │ Avg: 85.7 / 95.4 │ Diff: -175 │ Last Week: 9

• Why They’re Here: The league’s most fragile team right now. Defense collapses, confidence wavers, energy and effort disappearing and losses are stacking.
• Trending Up: Very little. Every game is closer to the end of the season for the Bullets.
• Outlook: Spoon odds rising fast.

NBL Power Rankings – After Round 11

⬆️ 1. Adelaide 36ers I ⬇️ 2. Melbourne United I ➡️ 3. South East Melbourne Phoenix I ➡️ 4. Perth Wildcats I ↘️ 5. Sydney Kings I ↗️ 6. New Zealand Breakers I ↘️ 7. Tasmania JackJumpers I ➡️ 8. Illawarra Hawks I ➡️ 9. Brisbane Bullets ➡️ 10. Cairns Taipans

NBL Power Rankings – After Round 10

➡️ 1. Melbourne United I ➡️ 2. Adelaide 36ers I ➡️ 3. South East Melbourne Phoenix I ↗️ 4. Perth Wildcats I ↘️ 5. Sydney Kings I  ➡️ 6. Tasmania JackJumpers I  ↗️ 7. New Zealand Breakers I ↘️ 8. Illawarra Hawks I ➡️ 9. Brisbane Bullets I  ➡️ 10. Cairns Taipans

NBL Power Rankings – After Round 9 (NBL26)

➡️ 1. Melbourne United ⬆️ 2. Adelaide 36ers ↘️ 3. South East Melbourne Phoenix ⬆️ 4. Sydney Kings ↘️ 5. Perth Wildcats ⬆️ 6. Tasmania JackJumpers ↘️ 7. Illawarra Hawks ↗️ 8. New Zealand Breakers ↘️ 9. Brisbane Bullets ➡️ 10. Cairns Taipans

NBL Power Rankings – After Round 8 (NBL26)

➡️ 1. Melbourne United ➡️ 2. South East Melbourne Phoenix ➡️ 3. Adelaide 36ers ⬆️ 4. Perth Wildcats ⬇️ 5. Sydney Kings ⬆️ 6. Illawarra Hawks ⬆️ 7. Brisbane Bullets ⬇️ 8. Tasmania JackJumpers ⬇️ 9. New Zealand Breakers ⬇️ 10. Cairns Taipans

NBL Power Rankings – After Round 7 (NBL26)

➡️ 1. Melbourne United I ⬆️ 2. South East Melbourne Phoenix I ⬇️ 3. Adelaide 36ers I ⬆️ 4. Sydney Kings I ➡️ 5. Perth Wildcats I ⬇️ 6.Tasmania JackJumpers I  ⬆️ 7. New Zealand Breakers I ⬇️  8. Brisbane Bullets I ➡️ 9. Cairns Taipans I ⬇️ 10. Illawarra Hawks

NBL Power Rankings — After Round 6

➡️ 1. Melbourne United I ⬆️ 2. Adelaide 36ers  I ⬆️ 3. South East Melbourne Phoenix I ↗️ 4. Tasmania JackJumpers I ⬆️ 5. Perth Wildcats I ⬇️ 6. Sydney Kings I ↗️ 7. Brisbane Bullets I ⬆️ 8. Illawarra Hawks I ⬇️ 9. New Zealand Breakers I ⬇️ 10. Cairns Taipans

NBL Power Rankings — After Round 5

➡️ 1. Melbourne United I ➡️ 2. Adelaide 36ers I ⬆️ 3.South East Melbourne Phoenix I ↗️ 4. Tasmania JackJumpers I ↘️ 5. Sydney Kings I ⬇️ 6. Perth Wildcats I ↗️ 7. Brisbane Bullets I ↗️ 8. New Zealand Breakers I ↗️ 9. Cairns Taipans I ⬇️ 10. Illawarra Hawks

basketball.com.au NBL26 Power Rankings — Pre-Season

1. Adelaide 36ers

Record: 0–0
Streak: n/a
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Potential Starting 5: Bryce Cotton; DJ Vasiljevic; Zylan Cheatham; Montrezl Harrell; and Isaac Humphries
• Key Bench: Flynn Cameron; Michael Harris; Isaac White; and Blake Jones (IRP)
• Injuries/Absences: Ben Griscti (fractured neck).

Why They’re Here: The blockbuster signing of Cotton and re-signing of Harrell instantly elevate Adelaide to contender. Vasiljevic adds shooting, and Cameron brings versatility and toughness. Depth is much improved from NBL25 and the now revealed locker room disruption between Sydney Kings guard Kendric Davis and the whole team is replaced by a five-time NBL MVP. Zylan Cheatham averaged 15 points and seven rebounds for the New Zealand Breakers in 2023-24 and suited up for the Brooklyn Nets at the 2024 Summer League.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Flynn Cameron.
• Stock Falling: —

Coach’s Corner: Mike Wells has the tools for an uptempo, high-spacing offense. His challenge will be chemistry and the ability for his team to defend for 40 minutes.

Outlook: The 36ers are STACKED! Expectations are sky high.

2. Illawarra Hawks

Record: 0–0
Streak: n/a
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Potential Starting 5: Tyler Harvey; JaQuori McLaughlin; William "Davo" Hickey; Wani Swaka Lo Buluk; and JaVale McGee
• Key Bench: Todd Blanchfield; Mason Peatling; Harry Froling (IRP); and Dan Grida
• Injuries/Absences: Sam Froling (injured)

Why They’re Here: The reigning champions deserve absolute respect. Harvey remains an elite scorer, McGee brings NBA championship veteran rim protection. But the absence of Sam Froling is significant, and imports must settle quickly. The loss of Trey Kell III is a challenge but the Hawks can get up and down as well as any team in the history of the league.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: William "Davo" Hickey — emerging as an elite two-way guard who will make an even bigger impact in NBL26 ater a break-out championship contribution and gold medal at the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
• Stock Falling: Todd Blanchfield — age waits for no man but the NBL1 East Men's MVP is still elite. How Justin Tatum manages Blanchfield before Christmas could and should set up another title run.

Coach’s Corner: NBL25 Coach of the Year Tatum’s high-tempo offense powered them to a title, and the core identity remains, except Trey Kell III.

Outlook: They’ll fight to defend their crown and a key is how the 6'4" JaQuori McLaughlin works to fill the gap left by one of the smoothest offensive players in NBL history. Expect William "Davo" Hickey to have a break-out season on the back of the confidence he built in the NBL25 Grand Final Series and 2025 NBA Summer League.

3. Melbourne United

Record: 1–0
Streak: W
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Potential Starting 5: Tyson Walker; Chris Goulding; Milton Doyle; Finn Delany; and Jesse Edwards
• Key Bench: Shea Ili, Dash Daniels (Next Star), Kyle Bowen
• Injuries/Absences: n/a

Why They’re Here: basketball.com.au columnist Jason Cadee says: "(United has the) most balanced roster in the competition." United secured Doyle and added Minnesota Timberwolves two-way centre Jesse Edwards in the off-season, while Goulding remains one of the best, if not the best shooter in the league. Depth and coaching are strong, but chemistry with multiple new pieces needs time. United are perennial NBL title contenders and the 2025-26 season will be no different.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Jesse Edwards — young Dutch big with upside.
• Stock Falling: Chris Goulding — age waits for now man. Goulding is 36, soon to be 37, but minutes must be managed.

Coach’s Corner: Dean Vickerman is one of the best coaches in the league and always a candidate for Coach of the Year. His defensive discipline ensures consistency.

Outlook: Immediate contender status, with early fixtures a useful barometer.

4. Sydney Kings

Record: 0–0
Streak: n/a
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Potential Starting 5: Matthew Dellavedova; Kendric Davis; Bul Kuol; Xavier Cooks; and Tim Soares
• Key Bench: Jaylin Galloway; Kouat Noi; and Shaun Bruce
• Injuries/Absences: Keli Leaupepe (ACL – season)

Why They’re Here: Delly makes any team he plays for better and is paired with Davis, alongside Cooks and Kuol. The frontline is a little thinner than last season, but perimeter talent is elite. Can Davis settle in Sydney?

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Jaylin Galloway — strong growth curve continues. Galloway's MVP performance for the Boomers at the 2025 Asia Cup is just a sign of things to come.
• Stock Falling: Shaun Bruce — reduced role behind Delly.

Coach’s Corner: Brian Goorjian thrives with defensive wings and structured half-court play. He struggled with the Kings backcourt make-up last year but now has one of the best leaders in Australian basketball history — Delly — and one of the most explosive guards going around — Davis. How Goorjian will handle Davis will play out but the Kings putting the All-NBL First Teamer on a media ban after the blow-up with Montrezl Harrell is a clear indicator.

Outlook: Plenty of talent; the question is depth and chemistry and Davis.

5. Perth Wildcats

Record: 0–1
Streak: L
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Potential Starting 5: Mason Jones; Sunday Dech; Dylan Windler; Kristian Doolittle; and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr.
• Key Bench: Elijah Pepper, Ben Henshall, and Lat Mayen
• Injuries/Absences: —

Why They’re Here: Post-Cotton era begins, but Mason Jones, JoLAC and Windler provide a strong spine. basketball.com.au editor Brayden Heslehurst has the Wildcats winning the NBL26 championship against Melbourne United 3-2. Perth's roster balance is good, though "known" star power is slightly down compared to Adelaide and Sydney. How Jones starts the season — he's legit, folks — is one of the most interesting storylines of 2025-26.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Mason Jones — volume scorer, natural fit as go-to guy.
• Stock Falling: Jesse Wagstaff — leadership intact but age waits for no man.

Coach’s Corner: Rillie leans on versatility and pace, with JoLAC anchoring.

Outlook: They’ll be competitive — question is whether the ceiling is still title level.

6. Tasmania JackJumpers

Record: 1–1
Streak: L-W
Last Week’s Rank: —

Roster Snapshot:

• Starting 5: Tyger Campbell; Bryce Hamilton; David Johnson; Josh Bannan; and Will Magnay
• Key Bench: Ben Ayre; Anthony Drmic; and Nick Marshall
• Injuries/Absences: Sean Macdonald (injured)

Why They’re Here: Just four players (Magnay, Drmic, Deng and Macdonald) remain from the 2023 NBL championship roster and only three will play after Macdonald torn his ACL on Boomers duty in late July. Tasmania move into the post-Doyle era with Campbell and new imports Hamilton/Johnson. Magnay’s health is crucial, and Bannan is ready for a big role. Until we see how the JackJumpers play, it's tough to predict. We'll know more by Round 4.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Josh Bannan — polished two-way forward.
• Stock Falling: Anthony Drmic — at 33 may lose minutes to younger wings.

Coach’s Corner: Scott Roth’s culture ensures high effort and buy-in.

Outlook: Playoff contender, but ceiling depends on import production. The loss of Macdonald is significant.

7. Cairns Taipans

Record: 0–1
Streak: L
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Starting 5: Andrew Andrews; Reyne Smith; Admiral Schofield; Jack McVeigh; and Marcus Lee.
• Key Bench: Kyle Adnam; and Kyrin Galloway,
• Injuries/Absences: Sam Waardenburg (ankle).

Why They’re Here: The Taipans have two of the best three-ball shooters in the league — McVeigh and Smith. Smith is almost automatic from either corner. The starting five is completely revamped and with Marcus Lee, one of the league's nicest guys, in the middle and shooting for days, they are dangerous. There's been plenty of turnover but upside exists. Andrews and Schofield are unknowns. Their record when Waardenburg returns will determine how they enter 2026.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Sam Waardenburg — versatile big with room to grow.
• Stock Falling: Kyle Adnam — rotation role under pressure.

Coach’s Corner: Adam Forde thrives with pace and disruptive defense. He left the club after NBL25, coached the Australian 3x3 team, which reignited his passion for coaching and returned to the Taipans. I have Forde winning coach of the year after he steers the Far North Queensland club back into the playoffs.

Outlook: How Cairns copes with the loss of point guard Taran Armstrong will be key. The Taipans are the potential surprise packet of NBL26, but may need time to gel and more luck than last year.

8. New Zealand Breakers

Record: 0–1
Streak: L
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Starting 5: Parker Jackson-Cartwright; Izaiah Brockington; Karim Lopez; Rob Baker II; and Sam Mennenga
• Key Bench: Reuben Te Rangi; Rob Loe; and Sean Bairstow
• Injuries/Absences: —

Why They’re Here: New imports and a Next Star in Lopez make them intriguing but unproven. PJC runs the offense, Mennenga offers inside presence, but chemistry is unknown. Jackson-Cartwright was an early season MVP candidate in 2024-25 until his season derailed in Tasmania, pushing a referee and getting himself suspended. It was the first domino in a lost season for the Breakers, who ended being sold in the off-season. But they've reloaded and have talent to make a deep playoff run.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Sam Mennenga — chance to anchor the frontcourt.
• Stock Falling: Izayah Le’Afa — role reduced.

Coach’s Corner: Petteri Koponen begins his second full season — system still taking shape. At 37, Koponen is one of the best emerging head coaches in basketball.

Outlook: Tough early schedule will reveal their baseline quickly.

9. Brisbane Bullets

Record: 1–0
Streak: W
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Starting 5: Jaylen Adams; Javon Freeman-Liberty; Alex Ducas; Casey Prather; and Tyrell Harrison
• Key Bench: Mitch Norton; Taine Murray; and Sam McDaniel
• Injuries/Absences: —

Why They’re Here: Former MVP Adams and NBA champion Ducas are quality additions, but frontcourt depth is thin and Freeman-Liberty must adjust fast. Adams' quality as either primary facilitator of scorer is proven. How Ducas shows out after his two-way stint with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder will be fun to watch. More minutes and in the spotlight, Ducas is one of the more exciting prospects in NBL26 (from an Aussie player and Boomers perspective).

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: Alex Ducas — NBA experience, polished skill set.
• Stock Falling: Tyrell Harrison — needs to prove consistency.

Coach’s Corner: Stu Lash still building a clear identity. Lash has gone from the front office to front and centre on the sidelines. He's a watching brief.

Outlook: Potentially volatile — could climb quickly or sink.

10. South East Melbourne Phoenix

Record: 1–0
Streak: W
Last Week’s Rank: n/a

Roster Snapshot:

• Starting 5: Hunter Maldonado; Nathan Sobey; John Brown III; DJ Mitchell; and Jordan Hunter
• Key Bench: Angus Glover; Gorjok Gak; and Akech Aliir
• Injuries/Absences: PF rotation unsettled

Why They’re Here: Sobey remains a reliable engine, Brown brings defensive chops, but roster depth and frontcourt are concerns. Moving on from import Vrenz Bleijenbergh just days before the season starts is a tough outcome for the Phoenix.

Trending Players:

• Stock Rising: John Brown III — EuroLeague calibre stopper.
• Stock Falling: —

Coach’s Corner: Josh King will rely heavily on Sobey to stabilise the offense and is now on the hunt for a replacement for Bleijenbergh. King is in his first full season at the Phoenix and is undoubtedly an exceptional coach.

Outlook: Plenty of upside, but look less complete than other squads, especially after parting ways with import Bleijenbergh. NBL26 is stacked with talent and they'll need to move quickly to fill out their roster with a quality import.