Match Preview: Table topping Pride Round as Sixers host Phoenix

The Adelaide 36ers are home for the first time in nearly a month on Saturday evening to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

It will be a top of the table clash at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with the Sixers no doubt keen to make up for the loss to the Phoenix less than two weeks ago.

Mike Wells’ side has won two and lost one since then, including Wednesday night’s victory over Brisbane which saw it clinch a spot in next month’s final of the inaugural Ignite Cup.

That game included a late incident which has led to big man Nick Rakocevic having to serve a suspension for Saturday evening’s game, along with nine other players and coaches from both sides receiving various penalties.

The Phoenix suffered defeat in their most recent outing, going down to Perth on Wednesday night. Strangely the last time Adelaide met the Phoenix, the team in green was also coming off a loss to the Wildcats.

The Phoenix have won six of their last eight games and come to Adelaide as the highest scoring team in the Hungry Jack’s NBL competition, averaging just over 100 points per game. The Sixers on the other hand have scored the second most points overall but average 93.3 points per game.

The Sixers have a strong record against the Phoenix at the AEC, winning each of the last three encounters at the venue.

After four straight road games, Sixers co-captain Bryce Cotton is eager to get back in front of the home crowd, highlighting how new recruit John Jenkins will play his first game at home after playing in Perth, Auckland, Sydney and the Gold Coast since signing with the club.

“We've all kind of just missed being in our beds and stuff,” Cotton said.

“John's an exception to that, but, in a way, it's like he's basically been almost all over Australia now, and saving the best to last, right here in front of the home crowd.”

It will also be a special occasion as the club hosts its Pride Round, celebrating inclusion, acceptance and support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sixers centre Isaac Humphries is proudly part of that community and says the celebration is a way to ensure everyone who comes to NBL games or engages with the sport of basketball feels welcome.

“Basketball is this global sport, this sphere, that has brought so many people together, all around the world,” he said. “And it really should be a place for everybody, it should be a space for everybody.

“There's not one person, one type of person that comes to a basketball game.

“There's so many people that love this sport just as much as we do, and they should be able to want to come and feel safe and welcome when they do come and support us.

 “There's one goal in mind and that is to watch us win and everything else is just a celebratory bit of fun at the end of the day.”  

Saturday’s game gets underway at 5:00pm ACDT. 

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Saturday 31 January, 5:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 25, Adelaide 13, South East Melbourne 12

At AEC
Played 11, Adelaide 8, South East Melbourne 3

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 18, 2026 – Phoenix 108 def 36ers 89 at RAC Arena, Perth (HoopsFest)
Nov 22, 2025 – 36ers 94 def Phoenix 81 at John Cain Arena
Oct 16, 2025 – 36ers 88 def Phoenix 71 at AEC
Feb 16, 2025 – Phoenix 85 def 36ers 75 at John Cain Arena
Feb 2, 2025 – Phoenix 105 def 36ers 99 at John Cain Arena

KEY STATS

·       Adelaide has won the second half in 10 of its last 11 games after trailing at half-time.

·       Adelaide has won seven of its last eight games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

·       Dejan Vasiljevic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (95.7%) this season.

·       Zylan Cheatham has a career average of 11.3 rebounds per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.

·       Isaac Humphries has a career average of 13.5 points per game against SE Melbourne - most against any opponent.

·       Dejan Vasiljevic is just one away from 300 NBL career assists.

·       South East Melbourne has lost each of its last three games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

·       South East Melbourne has won nine of its last 12 games.