Cotton Erupts for 39 as 36ers Break Season-Opening Drought

Bryce Cotton delivered a debut to remember, erupting for 39 points to lead the Adelaide 36ers past the Brisbane Bullets 87–80 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

The five-time league MVP was unstoppable in his first game for Adelaide after almost a decade tormenting opponents in Perth colours. Cotton hit 14-of-23 from the field, 6-of-9 from deep, and added six assists as the Sixers ended a 10-year wait for a season-opening victory. His tally was the highest ever by a 36ers debutant, electrifying a sold-out home crowd that roared his every touch.

Adelaide’s roster has been in flux following the departure of Montrezl Harrell, Nick Rakocevic’s unavailability, and the arrival of Cotton as a naturalised citizen. Against Brisbane, it was clear this was Cotton’s team. The rest of the Sixers combined for 48 points, with Isaac Humphries contributing 13 points and six rebounds, Isaac White scoring 10, and import Zylan Cheatham adding eight points, four boards, five assists, and three steals. Co-captain DJ Vasiljevic struggled, finishing with just five points on 2-of-9 shooting, but Cotton’s dominance overshadowed any concerns.

The Bullets, undermanned without the injured trio of Mitch Norton, Sam McDaniel, and Javon Freeman-Liberty, fought bravely and never let Adelaide coast. Casey Prather continued his strong form with 20 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Tyrell Harrison produced another big double of 17 points and 12 boards, while Alex Ducas stepped up with 16 points. Jaylen Adams chipped in 14, but Brisbane lacked the defensive stoppers needed to slow Cotton, who punished every mismatch.

Cotton wasted no time in stamping his mark. He exploded for 15 points in the first quarter, including a four-minute burst that pushed Adelaide to a 27–23 lead at quarter-time. The margin grew to nine before Prather sparked a Bullets comeback in the second, briefly giving Brisbane the lead. A late Flynn Cameron reverse layup restored Adelaide’s edge, 48–47 at the half.

The third term belonged to Cotton. He added 15 more points as Adelaide reasserted control, and when he and Vasiljevic opened the final quarter with consecutive triples, the Sixers were suddenly ahead by 16. But the Bullets refused to fold. Their defence tightened, Cotton’s teammates dried up offensively, and the deficit was whittled down late. In fact, Vasiljevic’s triple was the only Adelaide field goal not scored by Cotton in the last period.

Ultimately, Cotton’s brilliance was enough to see the Sixers home. For a club eager to move past a turbulent offseason, the performance was both cathartic and symbolic — their marquee man delivering on the biggest stage in his very first outing.

Adelaide now faces a stern test on Thursday away to Cairns, who are fresh off back-to-back wins over Brisbane and Sydney. The Bullets, meanwhile, will look to regroup at home against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday, still seeking their first win of the season.

Final score: Adelaide 36ers 87 defeated Brisbane Bullets 80.