The Phoenix Suns were hoping to prove to the world that they are better than the last time we saw them play basketball in a Game 7 blowout to the lower-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. After a tumultuous offseason with trade rumors, ownership sanctions, and player extension drama, the Suns wanted to get their season off to a good start in a pre-season game against the Adelaide 36ers.
The Suns got anything but that, being beaten by the Australian team, who controlled the action for almost the entire game. A red-hot shooting barrage at the end of the game by the 36ers meant that they would walk away with a 134-124 win. NBA fans were shocked to see last season’s table-toppers fall in such fashion to an unheralded team and mercilessly trolled the Suns.
The Suns just lost a preseason game to the Adelaide 36ers…
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 3, 2022
— kazoo✮ (@k_azo_o) October 3, 2022
The Pheonix Suns at halftime after being down 71-59 to the Adelaide 36ers pic.twitter.com/sx5EG8BCWZ
— KiLBJJ ⁵ ²³ (@KiLBJJ) October 3, 2022
Phoenix has all their starters playing regular minutes in the preseason and they’re currently losing to the Adelaide 36ers 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/Y6sODfImYo
— All Things Mavs (@All_Things_Mavs) October 3, 2022
It’s just an exhibition game… But the Adelaide 36ers just beat the Phoenix Suns 134-124. Perimeter defense will likely be a thing of emphasis for the Suns as Adelaide made 24 of 43 3-pointers. The 36ers play in The National Basketball League based in Australia and New Zealand.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) October 3, 2022
The Adelaide 36ers just became the first NBL team to win an #NBLxNBA preseason game, beating the Phoenix Suns 134-124. The 36ers shot 24/43 (55.8%) from behind the 3pt line.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) October 3, 2022
Congratulations to Luka Doncic, Craig Randall, and Robert Franks on becoming the new co-owners of the Phoenix Suns 👏🏽
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 3, 2022
Suns getting lit up by a created team
— Dom2K 🎅🎇 (@Dom_2k) October 3, 2022
Someone set phx up tonight
Got these dudes playing the 16 warriors
Diabolical work
— Dom2K 🎅🎇 (@Dom_2k) October 3, 2022
36ers are absolutely on fire whaaaaat
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) October 3, 2022
randall, franks & cleveland hooping
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) October 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/ramon_rican/status/1576791093160849409
It’s not a “preseason overreaction” when the bench unit consists of delivery drivers and fast food workers
— 𝘼𝙖𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣 (@AaryanS19) October 3, 2022
A picture of Craig Randall pic.twitter.com/zuPlmBFOwi
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 3, 2022
The Phoenix Suns just allowed 71 points in a half from an NBL team. The Adelaide 36ers are slicing them apart; lead 71-59 at the half.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) October 3, 2022
I’ve been a lifelong Suns fan since 2002 and I can say this is the most embarrassing moment of my life. I’m ashamed right now so I’m turning in my fan card. Goodbye Phoenix. I won’t miss you. I’ll be rooting for the 36ers now because I enjoy good basketball 🏀 https://t.co/L3ocXB3bCa
— Third Coast Uno (@StepbackUno) October 3, 2022
https://twitter.com/wolves2025chmps/status/1576791793751900161https://twitter.com/cartibettaa/status/1576765752916733952
Pre-season should never be a massive indicator of what’s going to happen in the regular season. The Milwaukee Bucks lost every pre-season game they played in 2021 but still went on to win the title. With all the negative energy around the Suns this summer, this win may be the start of something worse for Phoenix.
Should The Phoenix Suns Be Worried?
Pre-season tends to bring out overreactions from fans that have been starved of NBA content for the last 3 months. This game is creating a lot of similar reactions. The 36ers were red hot and outscored the Suns handily. However, this isn’t necessarily a realistic way of looking at the talent the Suns are still fielding on the court.
Either way, an NBA team shouldn’t lose to an overseas team, considering the NBA is the pinnacle of basketball. It is a great moment for the fans of Oceanic basketball, but the NBA is supposed to be where the best of the best play. The Suns didn’t look like the juggernaut they were last regular season.
It may be a tough year for Phoenix as they try to work through all the issues that have plagued them all summer. Hopefully, this loss serves as a realization and unites the team ahead of the start of the 2022-23 season.
