Five takeaways from the Kings’ NBL Blitz campaign

The Sydney Kings completed their CODE Sports NBL Blitz campaign with one win and one loss, but the results only tell part of the pre-season story.

A short-handed Sydney side opened with a 101-84 defeat to a full-strength South East Melbourne Phoenix before producing a much sharper performance to defeat the New Zealand Breakers 95-74.

With the regular season approaching, here are five things Kings fans can take from the two games in Bendigo.

1. Sydney’s depth is already being tested, and delivering

Sydney entered its opening game without three major additions to its NBL27 roster.

Kendric Davis is yet to join the team, while Torrey Craig and Matthew Dellavedova were sidelined through illness.

Despite those absences, the Kings started strongly against South East Melbourne. Led by nine first-quarter points from Makuach Maluach, Sydney scored 28 points and held a three-point advantage at the opening break.

The Phoenix took control with a 35-point second quarter, but Sydney continued to compete and reduced the margin to eight early in the fourth before South East Melbourne responded with a decisive 10-0 run.

The eventual 101-84 scoreline did not fully reflect how competitive the Kings were for significant stretches.

2. Makuach Maluach made the most of his opportunity

Maluach was one of Sydney’s most consistent performers across the two games.

After scoring 11 points against Phoenix, including nine in the opening quarter, he produced an even better performance against New Zealand.

Maluach scored 12 points in an electric first quarter and finished with a game-high 22 as the Kings secured a convincing 21-point victory.

His ability to provide immediate offence was one of the clearest positives to emerge from the Blitz.

3. Torrey Craig and Matthew Dellavedova made an impact on their return

After missing the opening game through illness, Craig and Dellavedova both took the court against the Breakers.

Craig finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in his first appearance of the Blitz, while Dellavedova provided valuable minutes and leadership in the backcourt.

With Kendric Davis still to join the team, the Kings used the tournament to build familiarity without having their complete group available.

4. Sydney’s emerging players gained valuable minutes

The absences in the opening game created opportunities for several emerging players and new faces.

Jayden Stone was one of the biggest positives against Phoenix, recording 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Jason Spurgin also impressed with 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Tyler Robertson added 11 points and four rebounds, including three makes from beyond the arc.

Spurgin contributed another six points, six rebounds and two assists against New Zealand, while Harry Wessels finished with six points and six rebounds.

Those minutes were an important part of a pre-season tournament designed to test combinations and provide opportunities across the extended roster.

5. The response against New Zealand was encouraging

The Kings showed clear improvement between their two Blitz appearances.

Against the Breakers, Sydney connected on five of its first six three-point attempts and led 30-24 after the opening quarter.

The most decisive period came after half-time. Sydney restricted New Zealand to just 10 points in the third quarter while scoring 20 of its own, turning a seven-point half-time advantage into a 71-54 lead.

Ball security and perimeter shooting were also significant. The Kings made 42 per cent of their three-point attempts and committed only seven turnovers, compared with 15 from the Breakers.

After an opening loss, the Kings responded with a sharper performance at both ends of the floor and finished their time in Bendigo with a 1-1 record.

Pre-season basketball is about preparation rather than prizes. Sydney still has Kendric Davis to add to the group and further chemistry to build before the regular season begins.

For Kings fans, there was plenty to take forward.