The Phoenix Suns lost the pre-season opener at home to the hot Adelaide 36ers from the Australian National Basketball League 134-124 on Sunday night.
The Suns, whose last match at Footprint Center lost 33 points first Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, becoming the first team to lose a pre-season game to a non-NBA team since Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 against Real Madrid. Current Mavs superstar Luka Doncic played for that Real Madrid team, scoring 3 points in his team’s 142-137 extra-time win over OKC.
The 36ers – who normally play at the FIBA 3-point line, about 18 inches closer than the NBA – hit 24 out of 43 points from long distance. They are led by Craig Randallwho played briefly at the University of Memphis and then at Tennessee-Martin before stopping in the G League, and Robert Frankswho combined for 67 points and 15 triples between them.
Randall connected with 13 of 21 shots, including 9 of 17 from outside the arc, to lead all scorers with 35 points, and the Franks (32 points) with 11 out of 20 overall and 6 over 10 from 3 points range.
“Just doesn’t give them the respect they deserve as a professional team,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “It’s a great opportunity for us to learn.”
Cameron Payne leads the Sun with 23 points, while Mikal . Bridge and Deandre Ayton 22 more. Devin Booker there are 13 points.
Chris Paul got 12 assists for the Suns, while Mitch McCarron had 16 assists for Adelaide.
The Suns’ starters each match 22 minutes; Williams admitted all were limited in minutes and ended up playing a bit longer than he intended.
“I actually took them a little higher than I wanted to – they compete, they want to come back, but I’m not going to let those people back,” Williams said.
The Suns, who had an NBA best last season of 64-18, took a lead of the 36ers in the second half but couldn’t get past the visitors when Randall scored 24 points after halftime.
The 36ers started quickly after a 3-point shot in the first half. Adelaide built a first-half lead to 16 by hitting 10 of her first 17 3-pointers.
“I think we didn’t do a good job of reading the game,” Williams said. “Once they’ve made a few [3s] In the first quarter, I don’t think we knew that these guys were going to keep taking shots. “
The Suns went to the rim and confusingly dominated with Bridges and Ayton. But basket trading doesn’t benefit Phoenix. And Adelaide went on to hit 3 points throughout the game, while the Suns were 9 of 34 from outside the arc.
The Adelaide 36ers finished seventh out of 10 teams in the NBL last season with a 10-18 record.
Adelaide will complete the US tour in front of the Australian star Josh Giddey‘S Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
ESPN Stats & Information and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
