isaac humphries is at the centre of mounting questions as Adelaide prepares to host South East Melbourne in a Series Decider on Tuesday night, as of March 16, 2026 ET. The 36ers were outscored 57-35 in the second half of Game 2, and Humphries logged just six minutes in that contest. Two-time NBL champion Lanard Copeland has called openly for changes, naming John Jenkins and isaac humphries as players who must step up if Adelaide are to overturn the Phoenix.
Isaac Humphries’ role under spotlight
The season has shown contrasting chapters for Isaac Humphries: strong early form gave way to a sharply reduced role in the playoffs. In Game 2 of the semi-final series Humphries played six minutes, scoring four points, grabbing one rebound and picking up three fouls, a line that underlines why his minutes have become a talking point. Team rotation choices have put Nick Rakocevic into a more prominent role against South East Melbourne, and that shift has left Humphries on the bench in critical stretches despite evidence in the contest that he could contribute when involved in the pick-and-roll with Bryce Cotton.
Immediate reactions from the court
Lanard Copeland, two-time NBL champion, urged Adelaide to return to the first-half standards that had them competitive earlier in Game 2 and singled out two players by name. “Number one is John Jenkins… The other is Isaac Humphries, ” Copeland said, noting Humphries’ aggression when given the ball and his willingness to help team-mates like Bryce Cotton when reinserted. Copeland also warned Adelaide to be wary of a buoyant Phoenix, highlighting Nathan Sobey’s career-high 41 points in the series and the lift that performance gives South East Melbourne going into the decider.
Phoenix pressure and what it means for Adelaide
South East Melbourne arrive with confidence after the third-quarter surge that blew Game 2 open; Sobey’s scoring burst — 17 points in the third quarter and a 41-point night overall — is central to that momentum. Adelaide’s task is twofold: shore up a second-half defence that conceded 57 points in the most damaging stretch of the game, and find a way to re-integrate frontcourt options so the pick-and-roll pairing that looked effective earlier can re-emerge. Coach Mike Wells faces clear choices on rotation and matchups with home-court advantage now decisive for the 36ers’ hopes of advancing.
What’s next
The Series Decider on Tuesday night will determine whether the Sydney Kings await a Grand Final opponent or whether the Phoenix progress; the remainder of the series and the coming offseason were flagged as potentially pivotal for both player futures and team construction. Attention will focus on rotations, foul management and whether Isaac Humphries is given the early touches Copeland referenced to alter the match-up dynamic. Expect coaches to reveal lineup intent before tip-off and for the outcome to shape conversations about roles and roster moves as teams prepare for what comes next.
