Nick Rakocevic, who played for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA during the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup, was involved in a late-game altercation during an NBL matchup between the Adelaide 36ers and the Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday, January 28.
The skirmish happened with about 3:02 left in the game, according to Fox Sports. Rakocevic and Bullets point guard Hunter Maldonado were reportedly fighting for position under the rim but ended up scuffling on the floor.
![Ex-PBA import Nick Rakocevic’s intensity drew attention after a late-game altercation in the NBL, highlighting the fine line between competitiveness and control. [PBA Images]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot_614.png)
In the end, Rakocevic and Maldonado received disqualifying fouls and were ejected from the game. Also banished for their part in the melee were Terry Taylor, Sam McDaniel, Taine Murray and Alex Ducas of the Bullets.
Rakocevic appeared to be the one who started it all when it appeared that the 28-year-old power forward showed no intention of getting up off the body of Maldonado.
Regardless, the skirmish, which lasted for about a minute, hardly factored into the game result. After the incident, the 36ers were awarded four free throws, allowing Adelaide to pad its lead to 86-65.
View this post on Instagram
The win allowed the 36ers to secure a slot in the February 22 Ignite Cup final. The victory also gave them some breathing space at 21-7 over second-seeded South East Melbourne Phoenix (19-9). The Bullets tote a 5-23 win-loss record.
Rakocevic joined the 36ers in September 2025. Before that, he played in China with the Ningbo Rockets, where he averaged 17.4 points, 8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per Adelaide 36ers.com.
Rakocevic struggled to keep emotions in check
Rakocevic debuted with a bang in his first PBA game, dropping 45 points and 25 rebounds in a 100-92 win over Terrafirma Dyip in September 2022. He was a polarizing contributor for the Hotshots until injuries started to slow him down.
However, the hard-working Serbian was also known for struggling to keep his emotions in check.
In the first game of Magnolia’s semifinal duel with Ginebra, the 6-foot-11 player was ejected after incurring a flagrant foul penalty 1 in the third quarter of the game. It was his second technical foul, resulting in his ejection from the game. He finished with only 10 points and 8 rebounds per Spin.ph.
Rakocevic’s exit proved costly as the Hotshots lost that game to the Kings, 87-84. Magnolia went on to lose that series, 3-1.
Rakocevic averaged 21.7 points, 17.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals in 38.1 minutes of action in 17 games based on data from PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson has one of the more positive NBA late draftee successes in recent memory. Drafted 46th Read more
Like his brother Steph, Seth Curry also knows how to make clutch plays. Curry hit a top of the key Read more
The Milwaukee Bucks rewrote the record books Tuesday night, making a whopping 29 triples in a huge 144-97 win over Read more
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has scored in double-digits for 1,000 consecutive games, a record he set as the Read more
- Ex-PBA Import involved in bench-clearing NBL playoff game - January 29, 2026
- “We can be compassionate and merciful” – When the BAP unanimously lifted the Jaworski, Reynoso lifetime ban in 1973 - January 17, 2026
- Adrian Dantley reflects on feud with Isiah Thomas after 1989 Pistons trade - January 7, 2026