Final round results not phasing reigning champs

The path to the championship still runs through Sydney, despite the Kings losing their last two regular season games leading into the finals.

The Kings had already secured top spot and a home semi-final ahead of the final round of the regular season. Their final two games appeared to be a 'resting period' ahead of the battle that the NBL23 Finals series will inevitably become.

Sydney lost to the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night without key piece Xavier Cooks, and again lost 84-96 to the Wildcats on Sunday.

The loss to the Wildcats was the first time Sydney had lost by double-figures this season.

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Despite their round 18 slump, coach Chase Buford reiterated his confidence in being the best team in the league.

“[We're] still a first seed, everybody’s still got to come through us going into the playoffs. Hopefully, we’ll be rested and ready to go come next week,” Buford said.

“We came in this weekend not worrying about results we just wanted to make sure we were healthy coming out of it and making sure guys were feeling good.”

The Kings have the opportunity to take home the trophy for the second year in a row, and are the only team to finish on 19 wins this season.

Guard Angus Glover - who finished with nine points, seven rebounds and one assist against Perth - spoke on the absence of key characters missing from the line-up, and the mentality they've persisted with to remain as championship contenders.

“All year we’ve established a next man up mentality when someone goes down or foul trouble,” Glover said.

The Kings were down by four points at half-time, and a sluggish third quarter opened the door for the Wildcats' victory - however Sydney fought back in the final quarter.

With the advantage of proceeding straight to the Playoffs and having a well-earned break between now and their next game, the Kings have time to rest and fix mistakes they need to work on to retain the crown.

“To fight back from where we were was pretty good in that environment to be honest,” Glover said.

“We don’t want to be putting ourselves in that situation being down 20.”

The Kings’ first game of Playoffs has now been determined to take place on Wednesday, February 15 at Qudos Bank Arena with their opponent to be decided through the Play-In series.