Adelaide 36ers beat Suns becoming 1st international team since 2016 to win vs NBA team

Per ESPN, The Phoenix Suns lost their preseason opener at home to a hot-shooting Adelaide 36ers team from Australia’s National Basketball League 134-124 on Sunday night.

The Suns, whose last game at Footprint Center was a 33-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, became the first team to lose a preseason game against a non-NBA team since the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 against Real Madrid. Current Mavs superstar Luka Doncic played on that Real Madrid team.

The 36ers — who normally play at the FIBA 3-point line, about 18 inches closer than the NBA’s — shot 24-of-43 from long distance. They were led by Craig Randall, who played briefly at the University of Memphis and then at Tennessee-Martin before a stop in the G League, and Robert Franks, who combined for 67 points and 15 triples between them.

Randall connected on 13 of 21 shots, including 9-of-17 from outside the arc, to lead all scorers with 35 points, and Franks (32 points) was 11-of-20 overall and 6-of-10 from 3-point range.

“Just didn’t give them the respect that they deserve as a pro team,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to learn.”