Ben Thomas’ side suffered their second Super League Basketball Trophy loss of the campaign in an 86-81 result at Caledonia Gladiators.

However, there was some positive news as they swept aside Manchester 116-85 in a comfortable success.

Cam Holden’s contribution in this win was 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

With a 6-2 record, Phoenix finish top of the North group and they will face Bristol Flyers, the South group runners-up, in the semi-finals.

The other last-four clash will be between Leicester Riders and Newcastle Eagles.

Super League Basketball has announced that Motorpoint Arena Nottingham will host the league’s inaugural cup final on March 9, 2025, marking a historic moment as the venue’s first-ever major British basketball event.

“We are excited to make history by bringing the Super League Basketball Cup final to the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham,” said Vaughn Millette, interim chairman of SLB.

“This venue is a perfect fit for an event of this magnitude. Its impressive facilities and passionate local community provide an exceptional platform to showcase the best of British basketball.

“We are eager to see fans from across the UK come together to witness a thrilling day of action, marking a new chapter in our sport’s growth.”

The event will feature back-to-back men’s and women’s finals.

The new Super League Basketball season gets underway this weekend, but Phoenix will sit things out until their opening contest away to Bristol on November 8.

A promising opening to the campaign means there are plenty of positives for head coach Thomas and the Nix Nation to reflect on.

One of these has been the explosion of production that has come from Cam Holden.

“I’ve worked all summer to improve my game and my body,” Holden told the Super League Basketball website.

“We lost a bunch of guys from last year who had big roles in the team and I knew going into the summer that I was capable of filling those spots, but that I needed to put in the work to be ready.

“My first time playing off the ball and not being an important piece of the offence was last year.

“I was a defence-first player for this group last season and I still take a lot of pride in that side of my game now, but this year I’ve got more of a role on offence and the opportunity to help my teammates get better shots on that end of the floor.

“I enjoy passing the ball much more than I do scoring. I’m not somebody that is going to chase 40-point games, I’d rather get my teammates good looks and have us all contributing so if that means I get zero points and 10 or 20 assists I’m happy.

“I wanted to be a guy that Ben trusts down the stretch this season and step up to take some of the responsibility that others left behind, so he told me I’ve got to show him how much I want it and hopefully I’m doing that.”

In a further boost, Phoenix have announced the return to the club of Larry Austin Jr.

He first joined the club during the 2021-22 season, being named the BBL Trophy final MVP after the Nix defeated London Lions in the showpiece.

Austin Jr re-signed for the 2022-23 season, captaining the club back to the trophy final and the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Last season, he joined the Newcastle Eagles and he has returned to the Phoenix having also played in Turkey and Portugal.

Head coach Thomas told the club’s website: “Bringing Larry in will hopefully help us in areas we’ve struggled so far, his work rate, rebounding and defence will enhance the team and improve the consistency we need to ensure we continue to provide good results throughout the year.

“I am pleased we’ve been able to bring back one of the clubs fan favourites and I am looking forward to seeing the best version of Larry here again.”

Austin Jr added: “I am excited to be back joining NixNation! Excited to be back in front of the best fans in the league again and I am grateful to Ben and James for an opportunity to continue to build and do great things here in Cheshire.”

Friday fixture: London v Sheffield. Saturday: Surrey v Leicester. Sunday: Manchester v London; Caledonia v Newcastle; Sheffield v Bristol.