Electric fourth quarter sparks Kings' win against Phoenix

The Sydney Kings opened their 2022-23 NBL Blitz account on Wednesday, downing an understrength South East Melbourne Phoenix 91-79 at the Darwin Basketball Facility.

Match summary

Nine fouls and eight turnovers cruelled the Sydney Kings in the first quarter, seeing them trail by five points (27-22) at the first change against South East Melbourne. 

Sparked by a more determined defensive effort and an attacking mindset by point guard Derrick Walton Jr, the Kings, coached by Kevin Lisch, outscored their rivals 24-14 to lead by five (46-41) at the main break.

Although the third period belonged to Simon Mitchell’s troops, who outscored the Kings 19-14, due to Sydney’s sloppy ball-handling, the two sides went into three-quarter-time all tied up at 60-all.

The final term was all Kings, whose relentless attack on the ring, resulted in a big 31-19 quarter victory, to seal Sydney’s impressive 12-point win.

Where the match was decided

The see-sawing affair, in which both sides went on numerous runs, was decided in the fourth quarter and the Sydney Kings bench group - featuring Shaun Bruce, Jaylin Galloway, Jackson Makoi, Kouat Noi and Iggy Mitchell.

Through four minutes in the final term, the Hoops Capital side, thanks to them playing in the passing lanes and pushing the ball up the floor, scored 17 to six - which set up the 12-point victory.

The Kings also recorded strong statistical advantages in field goal percentage (51 per cent to 38), points in the paint (44-30), fastbreak points (15-nil) and blocks (eight to two).

Key moment

With the game in the balance, Lisch turned to his young stars in the fourth quarter and they delivered in spades. 

In particular, South Sudanese guard Jackson Makoi balled out for the second-straight contest and showed why the coaching staff have huge wraps on him - adding eight points, on three of five shooting, in as many minutes on the hardwood.

Other moments of note included Derrick Walton's slick and-one crossover and Tim Soares' emphatic two-handed jam over a Phoenix defender.

Player of the game

Although both Derrick Walton Jr (15 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal) and Tim Soares (12 points, three boards, three swipes and two blocks) filled the box score, young wing Jaylin Galloway was a massive sparkplug for the Kings on Wednesday. 

In 18.26 minutes off the bench, the 19-year-old chalked up nine points, including a number of and-ones, and two blocks.

What’s next

The Kings, who are now 1-1 at the NBL Blitz, will have a short turnaround and will next face the New Zealand Breakers from 5.30pm AEST Friday - in their final pre-season game before the season opener on October 1 at Illawarra.