Breakers end Kings' title defence

The Sydney Kings' championships defence is officially over after losing Wednesday's Play-In Qualifier to the New Zealand Breakers 83-76 at Qudos Bank Arena.

Match summary 

Traded baskets between Alex Toohey and Zylan Cheatham saw the game all tied up, with contributions from Jaylen Adams and Parker Jackson-Cartwright keeping it even. It was efforts from Jaylin Galloway and Adams that had the tie-breaking in the King's favour, seeing the purple and gold up by five. Jackson-Cartwright fought to see this gap close to one before three for Adams and two for Kouat Noi drew it to six. Will Mcdowell-White pushed to bring the Breakers back, shut down by DJ Hogg. A buzzer-beating three for Noi saw Sydney up by seven after the first (22-15).

A three-point play for Noi and three for Hogg saw Sydney build a 13-point lead. A lay-up from Cheatham and fouls in New Zealand's favour saw the gap back in the singles. Denzel Valentine came with a jump shot, though strong efforts from Cheatham and Mantas Rubstavicius saw the King's lead drop to five. Three for Valentine and a dunk from Jordi Hunter built the lead back up. Jackson-Cartwright put in the work for the Breakers, his efforts were matched by Shaun Bruce and DJ Hogg. The Kings going into halftime up by nine (47-38).

Toohey put up three for the purple and gold, Cheatham quick to follow to ensure the gap didn't stay in the doubles for long. Rubstavicius, Mangok Mathiang and Mcdowell-White worked to break the lead in the Breaker's favour before Adams returned the Kings to the throne. Jackson-Cartwright continued to hustle, putting the Breakers back on top, with traded buckets evening the score. Fouls in the King's favour closed the quarter, the board all tied up going into the final minutes (60-60).

Jackson-Cartwright drew the Breakers away with an early three, Hogg quick to match, though his efforts feel short as Izayah Le’Afa and Jackson-Cartwright put New Zealand up by six. Three for Hogg crawled the Kings back into the game, with the deficit closing up to four. Jackson-Cartwright ensured the Breakers remained ahead, despite contributions from Toohey and Adams. Adams came with two, though Jackson-Cartwright and New Zealand proved unbreakable, the Kings ending their NBL24 season down by seven (83-76).

Where the match was decided 

Superiority in field goal percentage (48-41), three-point percentage (38-30), assists (17-12), steals (8-4), points in the paint (42-32), and fast break points (9-0), all allowed the Breakers to take the win, and move forward in the finals.

Key moment 

The Breaker's high final quarter, with an early six-point lead, and an (8-0) run was pivotal in their win over the Kings, as Sydney struggled to close the gap and take the lead back. 

Player of the game 

Jaylen Adams took home player of the game, bringing in 18 points and five assists for the Kings. 

DJ Hogg (17), Jordi Hunter (10) and Kouat Noi (10) also scored in double-figures.