The South East Melbourne Phoenix put on a sizzling display to overwhelm the Adelaide 36ers 106-86 in a captivating open-air NBL clash at John Cain Arena on Saturday night. Led by a scorching three-point barrage from Derrick Walton Jr, the Phoenix improved to a 9-9 record while sending the slumping 36ers to their fifth loss in six games.
Walton Jr, who has battled injuries and inconsistency this season, erupted for 28 points on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, adding six rebounds in a dominant performance. The crafty guard found his groove early and never let up, punishing the 36ers from all over the court.
“I’ve had a lot of personal stuff going on this year, injuries and all that, but I try not to make an excuse,” Walton Jr said post-game. “The guys always give me confidence. I know what I’ve accomplished in my career. I’m just trying to find my way again. Today was a good day.”
– Derrick Walton Jr
Hurt Continues to Shine
Phoenix star forward Matt Hurt continued his stellar form, pouring in 23 points to go with seven rebounds. The 6-foot-9 stretch four has emerged as one of the NBL’s most talented young players, terrorizing defenses with his inside-outside versatility.
Hurt’s frontcourt partner Angus Glover also got in on the three-point party, draining 5-of-10 from downtown en route to 15 points. The sharpshooting Glover helped slam the door on any thought of a 36ers comeback in the final quarter.
Harrell’s Up-and-Down Return
For Adelaide, import big man Montrezl Harrell had an uneven outing in his return to John Cain Arena. Harrell, who was suspended three games for an altercation with United players and fans in his last appearance at the venue, tallied 15 points and five rebounds but struggled to find a rhythm.
The energetic forward did show flashes of his trademark intensity, at one point earning a high-five from a young fan after an explosive drive. However, he also vented frustrations at the officials on several occasions when calls didn’t go his way.
Davis Comes Alive Late
36ers star guard Kendric Davis managed to collect 24 points and eight assists, but most of his damage came with the result already decided. The electric playmaker was quiet in the first half before finding his footing in the third quarter as Adelaide trimmed a 24-point deficit to 12.
Ultimately, it was too little, too late for Davis and Adelaide. Any thought of a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished by a pair of Glover triples early in the fourth period. The loss dropped the 36ers to 7-9, raising further questions about their NBL23 prospects.
Phoenix Rising Under King
Since handing the coaching reins to Josh King, the Phoenix have won seven of 10 games to climb back to .500. King praised his group’s resilience and togetherness after the impressive victory.
“We’ve got a resilient team, a talented team, and if we stick together and continue to get better, we’ll have a really good season,” King said.
– Josh King
That cohesion was on full display Saturday, with Walton Jr, Hurt, and Glover all rising to the occasion in a critical home win. If the Phoenix can maintain this level of play, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with as the NBL23 season rolls on.
For the 36ers, the path forward is less certain. After a promising 5-2 start, they’ve stumbled to seven losses in nine games to sit outside the top six. To turn things around, they’ll need more consistent production from Davis and better integration of Harrell into the lineup.
Both teams will look to carry lessons from this open-air spectacle into the back half of the NBL campaign. The Phoenix have found their stride under King and appear poised for a playoff push, while the 36ers must quickly regroup to avoid falling out of contention.
In a season of twists and turns, Saturday night at John Cain Arena provided a glimpse of two clubs heading in opposite directions. For the Phoenix and their fans, the future looks bright. For Adelaide, some soul-searching awaits.
The NBL23 season rolls on with a full slate of games in the week ahead. As the playoff race intensifies, the Phoenix will aim to build on their momentum, while the 36ers face a crucial stretch that could define their campaign.
No matter the outcome, one thing is certain: the NBL never fails to deliver high-stakes drama and jaw-dropping performances like the one Derrick Walton Jr produced on this unforgettable open-air evening in Melbourne. In a league of world-class talents, sometimes all it takes is one player catching fire to light up the night.
