THE 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) Championship Series has been locked in, with the Adelaide 36ers defeating the SEM Phoenix by 12 points in game three of the semi-finals to book a spot against the Sydney Kings.

The two teams split the results over the first two games, with the Sixers getting the job done at home before the Phoenix returned serve back in Victoria. On Tuesday, the series returned to Adelaide and it was win or go home heading into game three, in a fitting way to settle a matchup between two of the strongest teams in NBL26.

Despite having done so in game two, the Phoenix could not conjure another miraculous comeback, as the Sixers dominated proceedings for much of the contest and cruised home to a double-digit win to keep their championship aspirations alive.

Adelaide 36ers (108) def. South East Melbourne Phoenix (96)

It was the scoring power in the backcourt for the Sixers that proved the difference with Bryce Cotton the star of the show once again. The reigning MVP was dominant in the decider, dropping 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists on 12/24 shooting to maintain his standing as the competition’s premier big game player.

He had sufficient support from Dejan Vasiljevic, who was brought into the starting role and shone next to his star teammate to produce his best performance of the NBL26 postseason. Vasiljevic poured in 27 points on 8/13 shooting from the field and 6/10 shooting from behind the arc to play a vital role in getting the victory.

The Sixers were simply more efficient and productive when shooting the ball, leading by as much as 20 points in the second quarter as Cotton and Vasiljevic splashed home a plethora of three-pointers to break the game open. South East Melbourne lacked the answers down the other end, and could not keep up with Adelaide’s efficiency.

The home side shot 57 per cent from the field, and were able to pick through the Phoenix’s defensive structures to generate good looks in both half court sets and in transition. Additionally, the Sixers pulled down 52 rebounds to 31, and completely dominate the skies on the back of Zylan Cheatham and Nick Rakocevic combining for 25 boards.

The Phoenix tried to chip away at the deficit throughout the second half, but Adelaide always had the answers down the other end, and with the Adelaide Entertainment Centre fired up and vocal, South East Melbourne could not repeat its heroics from game two.

Despite the result, Phoenix import Ian Clark fought tooth and nail to try and keep his team in the fight on the scoreboard, dropping 32 points while shooting the ball efficiently. He nailed 13 of his 18 shots from the field and five of his seven attempts from long range, picking up the slack after Nathan Sobey copped some strong defensive attention.

It is unfortunately season over for the Phoenix, while the Sixers will now turn their attention to the Championship Series, which will see a blockbuster matchup against the Kings as the two best teams from the 2025/26 season battle it out for all the chocolates.