Adelaide 36ers Reach First NBL Grand Final in 8 Years

After eight years of waiting, Adelaide basketball fans finally have something to roar about again.

The Adelaide 36ers clinched their spot in the NBL grand final on Tuesday night with a commanding 108-96 victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix. It's the team's first championship appearance since 2018, ending nearly a decade of playoff heartbreak for the passionate South Australian fanbase.

Star recruit Bryce Cotton put on a show at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, pouring in 38 points in the deciding Game 3 of their playoff series. The six-time league MVP averaged an incredible 36.3 points across the entire semifinal matchup, proving why many consider him the greatest offseason signing in league history.

Captain Dejan Vasiljevic stepped up when it mattered most, adding 27 points and draining six three-pointers after being promoted to the starting lineup. The dynamic duo combined to give Adelaide an advantage they never surrendered, with the 36ers shooting an impressive 65 percent in the first half alone.

The home crowd played their part too, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the team's energy from the opening tip. Adelaide dominated the boards 52-31, grabbing crucial offensive rebounds that gave them second chances throughout the night.

Why This Inspires

This victory represents more than just a win on the scoreboard. Coach Mike Wells spoke proudly about his team's "toughness and grit," qualities that define not just championship basketball but the spirit of perseverance itself.

The 36ers faced elimination and responded with their best performance of the season. Role players like Matt Kenyon hustled relentlessly, matching an entire team's rebound total in less than three minutes of play. Nick Rakocevic battled in the paint, doing the unglamorous work that championship runs require.

Even South East Melbourne's coach Josh King acknowledged the special performance, saying Adelaide "played a heck of a game and they deserve to be in the grand final." That kind of respect between competitors shows the level of excellence both teams brought to the court.

Now the 36ers head to Sydney for Game 1 of the best-of-five championship series on Saturday, carrying the hopes of a city that's waited eight long years for this moment.

Adelaide's journey back to basketball's biggest stage proves that patience, the right additions, and unwavering team spirit can reignite championship dreams.