GAME ONE of the first semi-final series in the 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) playoffs is in the books, with reigning MVP Bryce Cotton leading his Adelaide 36ers to a seven-point win over the SEM Phoenix.

The series kicked off on Tuesday night, and was the most anticipated matchup of the 2026 postseason to date, given both sides have strong claims on the championship in the coming weeks. The two teams had split their four games this season and it was shaping as a match that could go down to the wire at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Behind an offensive masterclass from Cotton, the Sixers were able to take a 1-0 lead in the series with a 104-97 win at home, now heading back to Melbourne with the opportunity to advance straight through to the Championship Series.

Adelaide 36ers (104) def. South East Melbourne Phoenix (97)

The home side got off to a flying start on Tuesday night on the back of Cotton, who was playing his first game as a six-time MVP, although the Phoenix showed their toughness in reply. He poured in an astounding 16 points in the opening 10 minutes of play on perfect shooting, finding his eye from behind the arc with three triples, although it was still South East Melbourne taking a two-point lead into the first break with a two-point lead.

Cotton added another eight points in the second quarter to ensure the Sixers kept the scoreboard ticking over, and his offensive presence was beginning to prove the difference as South East Melbourne struggled to hold onto the lead. At the main change, Adelaide had snatched a two-point buffer, behind 24 first-half points from their superstar.

The Phoenix retook the lead in a see-sawing affair as big man Jordan Hunter went on an individual 5-0 run to open the third quarter. However, Cotton erupted again for another 13-point burst that saw Adelaide regain ascendancy, but the Phoenix’s signature grit and effort was exemplified by import John Brown III, who kept his side within two points with offensive rebounds.

The start of the fourth quarter began with a bang from Adelaide, with the Sixers taking control of the contest in the first few minutes to claim the first double-digit lead of the match. The Phoenix tried to snatch the lead once again by cutting the lead down to just two in the final minutes, but Adelaide had the class to ice the game down the stretch.

Cotton finished the game with a whopping 42 points on 17/25 shooting from the field and 6/11 from long range with just two shots at the free throw line in a record-breaking performance. It was the most points in a finals game from a Sixers player in club history, justifying claims he is the biggest factor in the NBL postseason.

Fellow guard Dejan Vasiljevic poured in 17 points, forward Nick Rakocevic had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Zylan Cheatham delivered 13 points including a memorable reverse slam in transition in the second half.

For the Phoenix, veteran Nathan Sobey was the standout with 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in a stat-stuffing performance on a familiar floor for the guard, while Brown III was energetic with all five of his rebounds coming on the offensive end to go with nine points, four assists and two steals.

The two sides will resume hostilities at John Cain Arena on Saturday evening, with the Sixers having the chance to book a spot in the deciding series, while South East Melbourne will be fighting to force a game three and keep their season alive.