"Pick your poison": Phoenix no one-man show

Winners of seven of their past nine fixtures, the South East Melbourne Phoenix seem to be peaking at the right time in NBL26.

That strong run was capped by Sunday's statement win over league leaders Adelaide at Perth's HoopsFest.

This triumph saw 1990 NBL MVP Derek Rucker call it "championship-level performance" by the Phoenix.

Echoing the praise for Josh King's side was NBL champion Pete Hooley, who explained The Heartland club dismissed the 'No Sobey, No South East Melbourne' chatter, with the Australian Boomer missing Sunday's win due to an illness.

"Without Sobey, who is arguably second in the MVP race right now, people wondered where their offence was going to come from [on Sunday]," Hooley said on Monday's episode of NBL Overtime.

"[They dispelled that theory in a big way on Sunday] and now we can start to see this roster really take shape.

"Ian Clark, who had his career night, was unbelievable, and it's starting to get to the point where it's pick your poison outside of Nathan Sobey.

"Clark, if he's found his groove, he can go off. Wes Iwundu is playing some of his best basketball. Owen Foxwell has his moments where he can go off and score the ball. Angus Glover can do it. Jordi Hunter can get hot from three. Pick your poison, because they've got weapons [all over the court]."

Fellow NBL Overtime panelist Damon Lowery also sung the praises for South East Melbourne, calling them the "most disrespected second place team of all time."

"They're the most disrespected second place team of all time," Lowery said.

"Everyone was worried when Sobey was out but I didn't panic at all, as they've got 10 other guys that can score in double figures."

The 17-8 Phoenix next host New Zealand in an Ignite Cup clash on Wednesday night at the State Basketball Centre.

That fixture, which is part of a Wednesday night double header following Melbourne's clash with Brisbane, tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.