Match Preview: HoopsFest on the horizon for Sixers

The Adelaide 36ers are in Perth for HoopsFest and looking to return to the winners’ list when they come up against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

Adelaide arrives in the west following last Friday’s disappointing loss to Tasmania, which ended a run of five straight wins.

The Phoenix also suffered defeat in their most recent outing, going down to Perth last Saturday.

Before that, they’d won three games in a row, passing 110 points on each occasion.

The Sixers and Phoenix are two of the competition’s hottest sides at the moment with the Sixers winning 12 of their last 14 games and the Phoenix coming out on top in six of their last eight.

When the sides last met in November, the Sixers came home strong to win by 13 points at John Cain Arena on the back of a 57-38 second half.

Sunday’s game in Perth will be the first time the sides have met at RAC Arena and comes at the very early time of 11:30am AWST or 2pm in South Australia.

It was meant to see two of the Hungry Jack’s NBL’s MVP candidates coming up against each other, with Bryce Cotton suiting up for the Sixers and Nathan Sobey for the Phoenix, however Sobey was ruled out on Saturday afternoon through illness.

Cotton currently leads the competition for scoring (25.3ppg), assists (7.7pg), free throws made (5.9pg) and three pointers made (3.4pg), while being equal leader with injured Brisbane guard Casey Prather for steals per game (2.0).

Sobey – who played 121 times in Sixers colours between 2015 and 2019 – had been in a rich vein of form, scoring more than 20 points in six straight games. There's no doubt he will be missed by the Phoenix.

Sixers Head Coach Mike Wells says despite the game being top versus second on the ladder, the side hasn’t spoken about there being anything more on the line than any other game.

“We're in first place right now, we're going to be in first place after this game,” he said.

“We've done a lot of work. This game is game 25 on our schedule, and it's one 33rd of our schedule. That's it.

“You have a 50-50 chance to win it by controlling your own energy and your own attitude, and I'm looking forward to it, but it will not define our season, whether we win or lose.”

Wells said he hoped for some extra support from people in Perth given Cotton spent so much time in the west.

“There are more Sixers fans and more blue jerseys around the league,” Wells smiled.

“There's more support. I love the team hotels, and when we pull in or out of the arenas, there's definitely more support. The players notice it, the coaches notice it, we all feel it.

“We very much appreciate it, so whether they're blue or red jerseys, as long as they say 11 and Cotton on it, we know they're supporting us.”

The game will be the 150^th at NBL level for Sixer Matt Kenyon, who suited up 50 times in Phoenix colours over the last two seasons before moving to Adelaide.

The side will wear its special Summer Jersey.

Sunday’s game gets underway at 2:00pm ACDT / 11:30am AWST. If you can’t get to Perth to support the side, every NBL game is live on ESPN through Kayo Sports or Disney+ or you can watch this match on Channel 10.

ADELAIDE 36ERS vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
RAC Arens, Perth, Sunday 18 January, 2:00pm ACDT / 11:30am AWST
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+ or on Channel 10

OVERALL
Played 24, Adelaide 13, South East Melbourne 11

At RAC Arena
Played 0, Adelaide 0, South East Melbourne 0

LAST FIVE MATCHES
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
Dec 21, 2024 (Open Air) – Phoenix 106 def 36ers 86 at John Cain Arena

KEY STATS

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

·       Adelaide has won each of its last 10 games when recording 24+ free throw attempts.

·       Adelaide has won each of its last seven games after trailing at quarter-time.

·       Adelaide has won seven of its last eight games after trailing at half-time.

·       Adelaide has won the fourth quarter in each of its last six games after trailing at three-quarter-time.

·       Adelaide has won 12 of its last 14 games.

·       Adelaide has allowed fewer than 90 points in each of its last six games - team's longest streak since 2020/21.

·       Dejan Vasiljevic has hit at least one three-pointer in 44 consecutive appearances - longest active streak of any player in the league.

·       Zylan Cheatham recorded a career-high 16 rebounds in his last outing against SE Melbourne.