The Brisbane Bullets are set to open their season with their long-awaited return to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, October 5, against the Sydney Kings in a crucial matchup as both teams look to rebound from early-season setbacks. Bullets vs Kings tip off 8:00 p.m.
Read: Brisbane Bullets’ Keandre Cook: Early Signs of a Game-Changer
Bullets’ slow start
After a promising preseason that saw them win the NBL Blitz and emerge as second-favourites in bookmakers’ predictions, the Bullets find themselves in an unexpected 0-2 hole to start NBL25.
Their season opener against the New Zealand Breakers ended in a narrow 91-87 defeat, despite a late surge that saw them erase a 26-point deficit. The following game against the Illawarra Hawks resulted in a 113-101 loss, again highlighting the team’s struggle with slow starts.
Keandre Cook has been a standout for the Bullets, leading the team in scoring in both games. His sharpshooting, particularly from beyond the arc, has been crucial in Brisbane’s comeback attempts.
Amidst the challenging start, the Bullets received a boost with Tyrell Harrison’s contract extension. The longest-serving player on the roster, the big man’s development and Blitz performances underscore his importance to the team’s long-term plans. His interior presence provides stability as the Bullets work to turn their season around.
Bullets vs Kings
The Bullets enter the home opener with some injury worries. Sam McDaniel and Josh Bannan are sidelined, while captain Mitch Norton and Deng Adel are battling groin issues. These health issues have added to the challenge of finding the team’s rhythm in the early season.
The Sydney Kings arrive in Brisbane also seeking to right their ship. They suffered their first loss of NBL25 in their previous outing, falling to Illawarra 96-89 in a closely contested match. Sydney will be eager to avoid a losing streak, setting the stage for an intense battle at the BEC.
Bullets coach Justin Schueller acknowledges the team’s disappointing start but sees signs of improvement. “There’s a lot of pride in the way that we’ve responded twice now to say that we’re right there,” Schueller states.
However, he emphasises the need for better starts and improved defence, noting that the team’s current performance doesn’t reflect their true potential.
Read: Two-Way Floor General James Batemon Commands the Court in NBL25
The clash against the Sydney Kings represents more than just a home opener for the Brisbane Bullets. It’s an opportunity to reset their season, energise their fan base, and demonstrate the potential that has made them a team to watch in NBL25—all in their first game back at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Published 01-October-2024
