From Eaton to Phoenix — Adelaide 36ers cap off an incredible month

On September 9, South West basketball fans were treated to an exciting NBL preseason club match between the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers.

Both sides played two matches against each other in WA, before heading to the NBL Blitz preseason tournament in Darwin.

However, the 36ers, who dazzled despite their 98-87 defeat at the Eaton Recreation Centre, caused one of the biggest shocks in international basketball history on Monday in the US.

Less than a month after playing in the South West, CJ Bruton’s team defeated the Phoenix Suns — a genuine NBA championship contender — 134-124 at the Footprint Centre, despite going in as 28-point underdogs.

Despite the Suns playing their first game of the NBA preseason, the 36ers put the Suns’ starters to the sword, going a staggering 24/43 from beyond the arc.

The 36ers will play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, before heading home to begin their 2022-23 NBL regular season campaign.