Kings defeat 36ers in front of record-breaking banner game crowd

The Sydney Kings marked their NBL23 banner night with a 109-100 victory against the Adelaide 36ers, in front of 14,029 fans at Qudos Bank Area - the biggest standalone home-opening crowd in NBL history. 

The Hoops Capital club has now had more than 10,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena in 10 of its last 12 home games.

Match summary 

Following the Kings’ championship banner unveiling and NBL23 ring presentation, Sydney jumped out to a 9-4 lead, thanks to triples from Jaylen Adams, Jaylin Galloway and Denzel Valentine but the 36ers responded to lead 18-16 following a Trey Kell III three-pointer. Instant impact off the bench by Kouat Noi – to the tune of back-to-back shots from downtown and an and-one – gave the hosts a 27-21 lead with 1.23 to play. A late bucket by Valentine – set-up by his import partner Adams – gave the Hoops Capital side a 32-22 lead at the first break. 

Pair of 3's for a pair of ?'s

Watch #NBL24 live on ESPN via KayoSports#LetItReign pic.twitter.com/18aNKQbwNw

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) October 8, 2023

Both teams struggled to score through the opening part of the second period, combining for seven points in the first 3.37. Tough baskets inside by Jordi Hunter and Jonah Bolden kept the scoreboard ticking over for the harbour city side. Identical triples, from the same corner, by Shaun Bruce and Bolden extended Sydney’s margin to 11 (49-38). Late scores by NBL Next Star Toohey and Adams ensured Mahmoud Abdelfattah’s side went into the main change up 57-48. 

Jacob Willey sparked a 13-4 start to the period for the Sixers, seeing them level the scores at 61-all. The Kings stopped the bleeding and regained the ascendancy 67-65 after a driving lay-up before five straight by Hunter put the purple and gold up by three with just under two minutes to play. A clutch triple of Valentine kept Sydney’s nose in front (75-72) at three-quarter-time. 

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The two-time reigning champs scored the first five points of the term before Angus Glover and Galloway (two) nailed back-to-back-back threes, which gave the host a 13-point lead. Bolden continued to work hard inside the paint before an emphatic runaway jam and a three-point play by Hunter made it a 15-point game. At the death, Abdelfattah emptied his bench – seeing Klairus Amir make his NBL debut and become King #245. In the end, the Kings celebrated banner game with a nine-point win. 

Where the match was decided 

The Kings secured their second win of NBL24 by dominating the statistical categories of three-point percentage (38-31), assists (27-17), second-chance points (25-14) and bench points (40-31). 

Key moment  

The Kings opened the fourth quarter on a 17-6 run, powered by Adams and Galloway, in the fourth which proved to be pivotal in the round two contest. 

Player of the game 

Hunter led the way for the Kings with 22 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal. 

Others to stand out in the win were Adams (16 points, eight assists and one steal), Valentine (15 points, five dimes, three boards and one steal), Noi (14 points, four rebounds and one steal) and Galloway (11 points, seven boards, five assists and five steals). 

Watch the game three post-game press conference featuring Mahmoud Abdelfattah and Jaylen Adams 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 

Abdelfattah’s side, who are now 2-1, hit the road again in round three, travelling to Brisbane to take on the Bullets at Nissan Arena on Friday from 7.30pm AEDT. 

Two days later though, the Kings will be back at Qudos Bank Arena to host the Perth Wildcats from 4pm on Sunday, October 15 – with tickets available here.