Brisbane Bullets earned a hard-fought road win over the Adelaide 36ers, taking the National Basketball League contest 96-89 on November 1, 2026. The final scoreline suggests a close game, and that is exactly how it unfolded for much of the night, with neither team able to build a decisive advantage until Brisbane found another gear in the closing minutes.

Match Overview

Adelaide started with energy in front of their home crowd and led 23-21 after the first quarter, using quick ball movement and aggressive drives to put pressure on Brisbane’s interior defense. The Bullets responded in the second period, tightening their perimeter defense and forcing Adelaide into contested shots. A 25-20 second quarter gave Brisbane a 46-43 halftime lead, and from there the game became a possession-by-possession battle.

How the Game Unfolded

• First quarter: Adelaide 23, Brisbane 21
• Second quarter: Adelaide 20, Brisbane 25
• Third quarter: Adelaide 24, Brisbane 27
• Fourth quarter: Adelaide 22, Brisbane 23
• Final: Adelaide 36ers 89, Brisbane Bullets 96

The third quarter proved pivotal. Brisbane opened the second half with a 10-2 run, pushing the tempo and finding open looks from beyond the arc. Adelaide answered with a determined surge of their own, cutting the deficit to two points early in the fourth, but the Bullets remained composed. A late 8-2 burst, capped by two clutch perimeter baskets, sealed the result and denied the 36ers a comeback victory.

Key Moments

The defining stretch came midway through the third period, when Brisbane’s bench unit changed the game’s rhythm with defensive pressure and transition scoring. Adelaide’s offense briefly stalled, and the Bullets converted turnovers into quick points. In the final two minutes, Brisbane’s half-court execution was the difference: they worked the clock, attacked the rim when the lane opened, and knocked down free throws to keep Adelaide at arm’s length.

Tactical Story

Brisbane’s ability to switch between man-to-man and zone looks disrupted Adelaide’s half-court flow. The 36ers found success when they played through the post and generated second-chance opportunities, but they struggled to contain Brisbane’s dribble penetration. The Bullets also won the three-point battle, using timely shooting to counter Adelaide’s advantage in the paint. In a game decided by small margins, Brisbane’s poise in the final five minutes stood out.

Standout Performers

• Brisbane’s lead guard finished with 24 points and seven assists, controlling the tempo down the stretch.
• Adelaide’s power forward produced 22 points and 11 rebounds, keeping the 36ers within striking distance.
• Brisbane’s bench delivered crucial minutes in the third quarter, sparking the run that changed the game.

Season Impact

The result gives Brisbane valuable momentum in the early National Basketball League standings and reinforces their ability to close out tight road games. For Adelaide, the loss is a frustrating one, especially after competing on level terms for long stretches. The 36ers will need to tighten their late-game execution and defensive rebounding if they are to turn similar performances into wins. Brisbane, meanwhile, will take confidence from a balanced scoring effort and a composed fourth-quarter finish.