Revealed: How ‘angry’ Bryce sparked wild Adelaide comeback, saved Cotton’s emotional Perth homecoming

Bryce Cotton’s emotional Perth homecoming was about to end in tears. Not on the legendary Wildcat-turned-36er’s watch. Matt Logue goes inside Adelaide’s wild comeback in the west.

An “angry” Bryce Cotton spray has been credited for sparking the Adelaide 36ers’ stunning comeback win over Perth – dubbed one of the greatest in NBL history.

Watch every game of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season, live on ESPN, with Sundays live and free on 10.

The Sixers are basking in the spotlight after surging back from 21-points down to beat the Wildcats 95-94 in Cotton’s emotional return to the club where he became a league legend.

The 36ers celebrate winning the round 11 NBL match between the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

You could have forgiven Adelaide for throwing in the towel when they trailed by 18 points heading into the fourth quarter. Perth also had history on its side. The Wildcats were 77-0 in club history when leading by double digits after three quarters.

But a brutally honest Cotton spray inspired an incredible 19-2 fourth quarter run.

“Bryce told us, ‘that’s not how we play 36ers basketball’ and we need to come out swinging and give it a crack,” 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic revealed to Code Sports.

“He said it very angrily might I add. Bryce and Zylan (Cheatham) definitely led the way and we all thought, ‘what have we got to lose.”

With Cotton’s stinging spray still ringing in their ears, the Sixers came out with winning intent to start the final quarter.

Possession by possession they slowly chipped away at Perth’s double digit lead, which grew to 20 points less than a minute into the fourth.

BLOCK THAT ALMOST DIDN’T HAPPEN

Perth’s once 21-point lead was trimmed to just one with 39 seconds left in the game. Wildcats import guard David Duke Jr had a valuable chance to score and stem the Sixers’ run, but had his shot blocked by Sixers big man Isaac Humphries.

But as Vasiljevic reveals, it was a game-decisive play that almost didn’t happen.

“Isaac actually said, ‘are we switching all ball screens?,” he said.

“I was like, ‘yeah’ and in the moment he reacted quickly and switched onto Duke and blocked his shot.”

“The wildest game I think I’ve ever been a part of in my life” 🤯

The man of the moment reflects on one of the most incredible comebacks in NBL history 😱 pic.twitter.com/xDQ6MZKo9w

— NBL (@NBL) December 7, 2025

Vasiljevic reacted just as promptly to secure the offensive rebound before running the floor in search of the matchwinning play with 23 seconds left.

He ideally wanted to get the ball to the proven clutch performer in Cotton, but emerging guard Flynn Cameron was closer.

“When Bryce ran towards Flynn everyone jumped to him and boom a wide open layup for Flynn,” Vasiljevic recalled.

As for how Adelaide celebrated the incredible victory, Vasiljevic revealed:

“A bit of everything at the hotel buffet,” he grinned.

Originally published as Revealed: How ‘angry’ Bryce sparked wild Adelaide comeback, saved Cotton’s emotional Perth homecoming