“I put my 40-yard dash to the test”: Cotton on miracle winner

The Adelaide 36ers have levelled the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series after dramatically defeating the Sydney Kings on Friday night.

With the score level at 89-all in the final seconds, Bryce Cotton went the length of the court to convert a left-handed lay-up as time expired, to give the hosts at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre the two-point win.

Straight after his incredible game-winner, six-time MVP Bryce Cotton spoke with ESPN’s John Casey.

“I just wanted us to get the rebound [after Sydney missed the shot],” Cotton said to ESPN.

“I saw we had three seconds, which is more time than I thought, and I tried to put my 40-yard dash to the test.

“I just wanted to win. I've been playing this game since I was a little kid. I'll never let any ups and downs take my joy. I love my teammates, and they played a hell of a game tonight.”

Being down by nine at three-quarter-time, a game-high 28 points from Cotton helped the Sixers storm back to level the Series at 1-1.

“We wanted to come back and play like the team we know how and try to get a win on our home court, and we did that,” he said.

“[But] now we’ve got to have a short memory, just like the last game, and prepare for Sunday.”

>> Championship Series schedule, tickets & how to watch

The three-time champion also came face-to-face with Kings star Kendric Davis post-game, as tempers flared.

When asked about it, Cotton said “that’s Playoff basketball”.

Game 3 of the Championship Series tips off at 2.30pm AEDT at Qudos Bank Arena, live on ESPN and 10.