Sotto, Adelaide break slump with win over Hawks

MANILA, Philippines – Kai Sotto came off the bench for 15 minutes of action as the Adelaide 36ers snapped a two-game losing slump with a 96-80 victory over the Illawarra Hawks in the 2022-23 NBL season at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Thursday.

Sotto, who is close to rejoining Gilas Pilipinas for the fifth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers next week, tallied two points, five boards, two assists and two blocks to help the 36ers improve to 3-3 for the season.

The 7-foot-3 made the most of his minutes, that were mostly during garbage time, to add to Daniel Johnson's 28-point outing which paced the 36ers.

Johnson also added seven boards and four assists. Rob Franks tallied 25 markers, six rebounds and four dimes l for Adelaide.

Tyler Harvey led the Hawks in the losing effort with 25 points.

Adelaide will look to rise above .500 mark and clinch back-to-back wins when they face the Perth Wildcats on Saturday.