Australian basketball’s first-ever NBL team has traveled to states and rattled NBA teams.
The NBL has been operating in the US for several years as part of the NBL x NBA preseason, putting the NBL on the map of the basketball world by showcasing our talented league.
But no Australian NBL team has ever traveled to the US and beat an NBA team, and the closest an NBL team has come to beating an NBA team has been Melbourne United’s 1-point overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.
Now a lot of people would say it was just a preseason game and the Suns’ big-name players didn’t play, and while the former is true, the Suns’ starters played nearly 23 minutes each, which is more than most bench players.
Australian fans are now worried about the 36ers bringing in Anthony Cleveland (22, 3, 3), Robert Franks (32, 7 rebounds, and 6, 3) and Craig Randall II (35) An amazing performance with points and 9. Adelaide was also led by their always selfless captain, who contributed a game-high 16 assists and 4 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block.
There were many NBA players who took note of the historic win, and one notable player was Josh Giddy, who had an impressive rookie season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but was swept away by the Thunder. Also in the top 36 before the draft.
Adelaide 36ers…
— Josh Giddey (@joshgiddey) October 3, 2022
Randall, Franks and Cleveland Basketball
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) October 3, 2022
The 36ers are absolutely on fire whaaaaat
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) October 3, 2022
The Adelaide 36ers have one more game in the U.S. with former 36ers Josh Giddy and his Oklahoma City Thunder on October 7 at 11am before heading home to start their NBL23 season .