The Adelaide 36ers have shocked star-studded Phoenix Suns 134-124 in the United States, becoming the first NBL club to beat an NBA franchise in a preseason game. 

The 36ers shot a mighty 24 of 43 from long range in the upset win over the Suns — who boasted the best NBA record in the last regular season — in Phoenix on Monday AEDT.

It was the first visit to the US for an NBL team since the 2019 preseason.

While other NBL teams had threatened upsets, none had closed the deal until the 36ers held their nerve — and kept making shots — against the Suns.

Imports Robert Franks (32 points) and Craig Randall (35) had 16 triples between them, with their teammates smirking when they continued to land efforts from well beyond the NBA's longer three-point line.

The Suns rolled out a full-strength starting five, with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges (22 points, seven rebounds), Cam Johnson and Deandre Ayton (22 points) all playing 22 minutes.

But behind Daniel Johnson (15 points) and Mitch McCarron (16 assists, nine rebounds, four points), the 36ers showed tremendous poise and some flourish to stay close.

And when the Suns' second unit — featuring NBL graduate Jock Landale (12 points, six rebounds) and former NBL import Torrey Craig (10 points, six rebounds) — entered the match, the 36ers exploded.

CJ Bruton's team surged to a 14-point lead and were never headed despite the returns of the Suns' starting unit in the second half.

Landale missed a triple that would have tied the scores, while Randall drained three straight long triples to push the 36ers ahead again for a historic victory.

The 36ers will complete their whistlestop US tour against Australian star Josh Giddey's Oklahoma City Thunder later this week.

AAP