The Adelaide 36ers have shocked a star-studded Phoenix Suns 134-124 in the United States, becoming the first National Basketball League club from Australia to beat an NBA franchise in a preseason game.
It was the first visit to the US for an NBL team since the 2019 preseason.
While other NBL teams had threatened upsets, none had closed the deal until the 36ers held their nerve and kept making shots against the Suns.
The Suns rolled out a full-strength starting five, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Deandre Ayton all playing 22 minutes.
36ers Robert Franks and Craig Randall had 16 triples between them, with their teammates smirking when they continued to land efforts from well beyond the NBA's longer three-point line.
But behind Daniel Johnson and Mitch McCarron, the 36ers showed tremendous poise and some flourish to stay close.
And when the Suns' second unit featuring NBL graduate Jock Landale and former NBL import Torrey Craig entered the match, the 36ers exploded.
The 36ers will complete their whistlestop US tour against Australian star Josh Giddey's Oklahoma City Thunder later this week.
[Source: ABC/AAP]
