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Live sport on SN this weekend"Just fighting for my team": Wells clears up Dellavedova comments
Nicholas Quinlan • April 4th, 2026 12:50 pm
With the Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings going to a championship-deciding Game 5, 36ers coach Mike Wells believes that this Championship series is one of the greatest in NBL history.
Despite losing Game 1 by 44 points, the 36ers have been able to rebound by winning their two matches at home by a combined margin of three points to make the series go the distance.
This is now the fourth Championship series that has made it to five games.
And in the eyes of Wells, it is right up there with some of the best, considering the heated competition between the two sides.
“It ranks right up there when you have two great players and two great organisations, quality, role players throughout the rosters,” Wells said on SEN SA’s The Run Home.
“We're going head-to-head, and we're taking some swings, and they're taking their swings.
“It's just been a heck of a series, and for us to get a win and to win a championship, we're gonna have to figure out how to win on their court.”
One of the storylines throughout this series has been between Wells and Kings' point guard Matthew Dellavedova.
In the build-up to Game 4, the 36ers coach made a comment on the referee’s not calling fouls on the former NBA Champion.
This prompted Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian to say that his comments were disrespectful and weak.
Reflecting on his handling of the situation, Wells reiterated that he meant no disrespect towards Dellavedova and that he was simply fighting for his team.
“It wasn't supposed to be disrespectful to anybody, in particular, Matthew Dellavedova,” he acknowledged.
“I know what kind of player he is; I saw his whole career in the NBA.
“I don't believe that what he did in 2016 has any bearing in 2026. Father Time is undefeated on all of us.
“I have a ton of respect for him personally.
“I was just fighting for my team and fighting for Bryce Cotton and trying to figure out if I could help him get an advantage to help us win.”
The championship deciding Game 5 takes place on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
You can listen to the action on SEN SA and on the SEN app from 1:30pm AEST. Tip-off is at 2pm.
