'Ask Sobes': Why Nathan is 'spot on every night'

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Talk to Nathan Sobey was Phoenix head coach Josh King's response when asked whether the former Brisbane star wanted to show out against the Bullets in Round 6 of NBL26 in Brisbane on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Regardless of his verbal answer, his on-court more than proved it in the affirmative. He dropped game-high 29 points in 27 minutes to lead South East Melbourne to its fifth win of the season — 109-86 — on 10-from-22 from the field, including 5-from-10 threes.

"That’s probably a question for Sobes," King said.

"I’m sure he wanted to play well here, but honestly, since I’ve been the coach, he’s been pretty spot-on night in and night out.

"I didn’t hear him say he wanted more buckets because he was playing Brisbane — he just wants to win the game and help his team win, whoever the next opponent is."

King has the Phoenix play tough basketball on both ends of the floor. They are +86 in seven games, only behind the juggernaut that is 8-0 Melbourne United at +157.

"We’re trying to get into a rhythm like every team right now. I’m proud of our team for finding a way to win this game," King added.

"We knew it was going to be a tough one — both teams played Thursday night.

"We came out with a lot of energy, and then Brisbane came back and had us on the ropes.

"But in the second half, we kind of found a real rhythm and were able to extend the lead. So, really proud of the collective effort from the guys — because these back-to-backs are not easy games to play in."

Key Details

• Result: South East Melbourne Phoenix 109 def. Brisbane Bullets 86
• When: 25th October 2025
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) starred with 29 points, two rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 27 minutes.
• Casey Prather (Brisbane Bullets) scored 18 points, had five rebounds, two steals, and one block in 31 minutes.

What Happened

South East Melbourne took control early, leading 23-20 after the first quarter before extending their advantage to 46-39 by halftime. The visitors then blew the game open with a dominant third-quarter performance, outscoring Brisbane 37-22 to build an insurmountable 83-61 lead.

The Phoenix maintained their momentum throughout the final period, outscoring the Bullets 26-25 to seal the impressive 23-point victory. Their control was evident with 36 minutes in the lead compared to just two minutes for Brisbane.

Sobey's outstanding shooting display proved decisive, connecting on 10-from-22 from the field including 5-from-10 from downtown. His 29-point haul came efficiently in just 27 minutes of court time, highlighting his impact on the contest.

The Phoenix demonstrated superior ball movement throughout, recording 25 assists to Brisbane's 19. Their defensive intensity was equally impressive, forcing 17 Bullets turnovers while committing just 10 themselves. This 13-4 advantage in steals was a key factor in South East Melbourne's dominant performance.

South East Melbourne's rebounding dominance provided another significant edge, as they collected 52 boards to Brisbane's 40. This advantage on the glass allowed the Phoenix to generate more scoring opportunities, attempting 91 field goals compared to just 66 for the home team.

The visitors' three-point shooting proved especially effective, with the Phoenix connecting on 16-from-42 (38.1%) from beyond the arc, while Brisbane struggled at just 5-from-22 (22.7%). John Brown III (12 points), Jordan Hunter (12 points), and Malique Lewis (nine points, eight rebounds) provided valuable support to Sobey's starring performance.

For Brisbane, Tyrell Harrison was a bright spot despite the defeat, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds while shooting an efficient 62.5% from the field. However, the Bullets' offensive struggles, particularly from distance, proved too much to overcome against a Phoenix team firing on all cylinders.