Galloway powers Kings to impressive road win against JackJumpers

The Sydney Kings returned to the winner’s circle in a big way on Sunday by defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers 90-82 at MyState Bank Arena. 

Arguably their biggest win of NBL24 sees the Kings back inside the all-important top-two heading into round 12. 

Match summary 

Big men Marcus Lee and Jordi Hunter traded baskets to start the contest, which started a trend of both teams scoring inside the paint – capped with an and-one by Jaylen Adams (giving the Kings a 9-8 lead). The play of Jordon Crawford with the ball helped the hosts regain the lead before back-to-back triples (including the latter being a four-point play) by Jack McVeigh extended it. The aggression on the rack by Jaylin Galloway and the shooting by Jonah Bolden kept Sydney within striking distance. At the first change, the Ants led 24-21. 

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The Hoops Capital side notched the first nine points of the term, powered by Denzel Valentine and DJ Hogg. That period was also characterised by holding the hosts scoreless for close to five minutes – allowing the Kings to lead 33-26. As the quarter ticked down, points were hard to come by for both sides but a crucial triple by Angus Glover and free-throws by Hunter gave the Kings a 39-33 lead at the main break (after holding Tasmania to a season-low nine points for the term). 

WE WORKIN', up six at the half y'all!! ? pic.twitter.com/6dgPMWdYQZ

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) December 17, 2023

The two rivals could only combine for four points through the first two and a half minutes before a Milton Doyle jumper brought the Ants back to within two points. But the continued strong play of Galloway and Bolden off the bench helped restore the Kings’ three-possession lead. Late two-pointers by Hunter and Adams off-set two quick threes by Sean Macdonald, as the harbour city side held a 57-52 lead going into the last. 

The Kings’ lead grew to eight when Hunter converted on an and-one but scores by McVeigh and Crawford reduced it quickly to four. The scoring exploded in with Hogg and Valentine (who scored seven straight at one point) carrying the load for the Kings. Young guns Galloway and Alex Toohey then chipped in with scores around the rim, as the lead ballooned to nine (76-67) with 4.05 to play. Clutch scores by Adams and Galloway down the stretch proved pivotal for the purple and gold – who withstood a late flurry by Crawford and McVeigh – to record their most impressive win of the season by eight points.  

Where the match was decided 

The crucial win for the Kings was secured by statistical victories in field goal percentage (46-41), assists (18-11), steals (10-4), blocks (3-1), points in the paint (44-34), points off turnovers (20-17), bench points (34-18) and (fast-break points (9-5) - all while committing fewer turnovers (13-19) 

Key moment 

Holding the Ants to just nine points (a season-low) in the second quarter laid the platform for the impressive win for the Kings. 

Player of the game 

Galloway was massive off the bench for Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s troops, scoring a career-high 22 points (8/12 shooting from the field) to go along with three rebounds, two triples and two steals. 

The other standout in the club’s ninth win of NBL24 was former MVP Adams, who had 15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and one block. 

Watch Jaylin Galloway and Mahmoud Abdelfattah's post-game press conference via Sydney Kings' YouTube channel above. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos. 

What’s next 

Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s side, who are now 9-6, now head to New Zealand to battle the Breakers from 5.30pm AEDT on Friday, December 22 – broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo Sports. 

Following that, the Kings return to Qudos Bank Arena for the second-annual Christmas night clash with Illawarra – tipping off at 7.15pm AEDT. 

Tickets for that festive clash are available here.