Kai Sotto shows mettle as Adelaide 36ers beat Phoenix Suns in NBA preseason
Kai Sotto #11 of the Adelaide 36ers defends Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Footprint Center on October 02, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Chris Coduto/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto held his own in his first taste of NBA competition on Monday (Manila time).
The Filipino center put up solid numbers to help the Adelaide 36ers stun the Phoenix Suns, 134-124, in a preseason game at Footprint Center in Arizona.
Sotto collected 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals in 18 minutes of action for the 36ers.
Goodness me @MitchMcCarron to @kzsottolive is magic.
Watch: https://t.co/6FLdNfCwJC#WeAreSixers #SwoopTheHoop pic.twitter.com/w0KYpsugsw
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) October 3, 2022
The 20-year-old Sotto showed his versatility and efficiency, making 3-of-6 from the field, including 1-of-2 from long range, and hitting all four of his free throw attempts.
Craig Randall and Robert Franks combined for 67 points to lead Adelaide, which shot a blistering 24-of-43 clip from downtown.
Randall buried nine triples while Franks sank six from that range.
CRAIG. RANDALL.
Ya welcome.
Watch: https://t.co/6FLdNfCwJC#SwoopTheHoop #WeAreSixers pic.twitter.com/fS0RBiQyE9
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) October 3, 2022
Antonius Cleveland added 22 points for the 36ers, who will face their former player Josh Giddey and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
Cameron Payne paced the Suns with 23 points while big man DeAndre Ayton and forward Mikal Bridges scored 22 apiece.
