30
Jan
Breaking News
Terry Taylor cops two-match ban after NBL melee
Nick Rakocevic of the 36ers wrestles with Hunter Maldonado and Terry Taylor of the Bullets Nick Rakocevic of the 36ers during the round 19 NBL match between Brisbane Bullets and Adelaide 36ers at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on January 28, 2026 on the Gold Coast. Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
Highlights
Brisbane import Terry Taylor hit with two-match ban as NBL sanctions melee fallout
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- Mike Wells said headlock and punches crossed basketball’s line
- Montrezl Harrell declares 'I Got You' to Brisbane Bullets
Brisbane import Terry Taylor has been handed the most significant punishment, charged with unduly rough play classified as intentional conduct with medium impact and high contact after a wild melee erupted during the Brisbane Bullets blow-out loss to the Adelaide 36ers on Wednesday night.
Taylor faces a two-match suspension, which can be reduced to one match should he elect to enter an early guilty plea.
Adelaide’s Nick Rakocevic was charged with unsportsmanlike behaviour and fined $775, reducible to $585 with an early guilty plea. Acceptance of the plea would also activate a one-match suspension stemming from a previously suspended penalty. Teammate Zylan Cheatham was fined under the same scale for engaging in a melee, while assistant coach Kerry Williams was penalised for bench clearing during the incident.
For Brisbane, Hunter Maldonado received a fine for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Alex Ducas, Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray, Casey Prather and assistant coach Patrick Ewing Jr. were all sanctioned for bench-clearing offences during the altercation.
All financial penalties carry a base fine of $775, with a reduced $585 option available through early guilty pleas. The NBL confirmed all sanctions were issued by the Game Review Panel in line with its Tribunal Rules.
Adelaide 36ers
Nick Rakocevic
Charge: Unsportsmanlike behaviour
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
If accepted, Rakocevic will be required to serve a one-match suspension arising from a previously suspended penalty.
Zylan Cheatham
Charge: Engaging in a melee / brawl / scuffle.
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Assistant Coach Kerry Williams
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea
Brisbane Bullets
Terry Taylor
Charge: Unduly rough play (Intentional conduct, Medium impact, High contact)
Penalty: Two-match suspension (base penalty) or one-match suspension with an early guilty plea.
Hunter Maldonado
Charge: Unsportsmanlike behaviour
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Alex Ducas
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Sam McDaniel
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Taine Murray
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Casey Prather
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
Assistant Coach Patrick Ewing Jr.
Charge: Bench clearing during a fight
Penalty: $775 (base penalty) or $585 with an early guilty plea.
