Match Preview: Sixers eyeing Ignite Final

The Adelaide 36ers will head to the Gold Coast on Wednesday night aiming to book a spot in the final of the Ignite Cup when they come up against the Brisbane Bullets.

Mike Wells’ side is coming off a loss to Sydney in the Harbour City on Sunday, and heads to the Sunshine State for a fourth straight away game.

It’s been a tricky run of travel with games in Perth, Auckland and Sydney prior to this game on the Gold Coast and there were signs of fatigue in the game against the Kings.

While the Bullets had the wood over the Sixers prior to this season, in Hungry Jack’s NBL26, the Adelaide team has won all three of their meetings.

There is the added lure of seven Ignite Cup points up for grabs with three for the side that wins the game and one for each quarter won.

Currently, the Sixers sit third on the Ignite Cup ladder but one point would take them into second above Melbourne United, and five would draw them level at the top with New Zealand.

Head Coach Mike Wells says it is a big game with a lot on the line, and his side was hoping to return to the Gold Coast for the Ignite Cup final next month.

“We know what kind of opponent we'll have up there at the Gold Coast in Brisbane,” Wells said.

“I would like for my group to play in the Ignite Cup championship. That's an important goal for me to be in that kind of game.

“And that will be a big game up in the Gold Coast against Brisbane on Wednesday night.

“We would like to be there. I think that's a really interesting next step for us. And then, you know, see where we are going into the finals.”

The Bullets have had a difficult season enduring a run of injuries, a change of coach and eight straight losses leading into Wednesday night’s game.

In fact, they have won just once in their last 15 games.

Import Hunter Maldonado has been a shining light since making the switch from South East Melbourne mid-way through the season and will likely be a key figure again on Wednesday night. He is averaging 19.3 points per game in his last six outings and leads the club for assists per game with 4.25 per game.

Adelaide and Brisbane have never played each other at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre. In fact the game will be the first NBL game staged at the venue.

The Sixers have played nine games on the Gold Coast previously but all of those games were at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The side has not played there since 2011-12 and has a 2-7 record at that venue.

The Bullets on the other hand have only played on the Gold Coast twice, including a loss to New Zealand at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre in November. The only other game the Bullets have played in that region was back in the 2007-08 season, a 10-point win over the former Gold Coast Blaze side in September 2007, and that was instead at the Convention Centre.

The Gold Coast Convention Centre will be the scene of the Ignite Cup Final on February 22, and the Sixers are one of just four teams still in with a chance of making it – along with New Zealand, Perth and South East Melbourne.

The Sixers will be buoyed by having won nine of their 12 road games this season. The last time the Sixers won nine was in the 2017-18 season, and the last time the club won more than nine was in the 1998-99 championship season when it won 10 away games.

Wednesday night’s game tips off at 7:00pm ACDT / 6:30pm AEST. If you can’t get there, watch it live on ESPN via Kayo or Disney+.

BRISBANE BULLETS vs ADELAIDE 36ERS
Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre, Wednesday 28 January, 7:00pm ACDT
Live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+

OVERALL
Played 104, Adelaide 54, Brisbane 50

At Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre
Played 0, Adelaide 0, Brisbane 0

LAST FIVE MATCHES
Jan 4, 2026 – 36ers 97 def Bullets 86 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Dec 5, 2025 – 36ers 90 def Bullets 65 at AEC
Sept 21, 2025 – 36ers 87 def Bullets 80 at AEC
Jan 31, 2025 – Bullets 92 def 36ers 89 at AEC
Dec 24, 2024 – Bullets 111 def 36ers 90 at AEC