Kings' fourth championship is one for the record books

The Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings have sealed a history-making season by winning the club’s fourth ever NBL Championship. 

The Kings defeated the Tasmania JackJumpers at Qudos Bank Arena on Wednesday night to sweep the NBL Grand Final best-of-five series 3-0 and claim the title. 

The game was played in front of 16,149 fans, setting a new all-time record for attendance at an NBL finals game. The crowd beat the previous mark of 15,064 set by the Tigers v Magic in 1966. 

The NBL Championship caps off a remarkable season for the Kings, who at one stage were 3-6 early in the season before going on a record-breaking 13-game winning streak. 

The Kings also set a new NBL record of 12 straight away wins in a season. 

The title breaks a 17-year drought for the Kings and adds to the three straight titles in 2003, 2004, 2005. 

Sydney Kings co-owner and chairman Paul Smith said the performance by the Kings’ players and coaching staff deserved to be recognised among one of the greatest in the history of the league. 

*This is a moment for all of Sydney to savour," Smith said.
"For us to have had the opportunity to see this incredible team push through a tough start to the season and the belief that carried them to this achievement will forever be in the annals of our club and the NBL. 

"I simply can't express adequately how much joy this brings to myself and my fellow owners. All I can say now is thank you to the players, coaches and the entire organisation” 

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said the Championship was a moment for all basketball fans in Sydney to savour. 

“This season has been an incredible one for our club both on and off the court,” Pongrass said. 

“The resilience our playing group has shown in the face of adversity led by Chase and our coaching group, supported by Luc Longley, has been amazing. 

“The tireless work of our front office team with the support of our ownership group and our wonderful community and corporate partners, particularly our naming rights partner Brydens Lawyers. 

“And the historic support we have received from members and fans, providing us with an electric game-day each and every week.  

“This club also could not function without the co-operation of our venue Qudos Bank Arena and the many long-serving volunteers who support us all the way. 

“This is truly a team celebration and we thank everyone who has been on this journey with us.” 

A SEASON OF RECORDS _

·       12 consecutive road wins most in a single season in NBL history; second all-time in most consecutive road wins (13 – Canberra Cannons across two seasons) in NBL history 

·       Sydney’s 19-9 record is the sixth-best regular season record (by win percentage) in franchise history. 

·       The Kings’ 13-game winning streak is the second-best winning streak in franchise history (overall and in a single season). 

·       Sydney’s 10-4 record on the road in the regular season was just the fifth time in franchise history that the team won at least 10 games on the road in a single regular season. 

·       Sydney’s 12-4 record on the road is the fourth best (by win percentage) in a single season in franchise history. 

·       The Kings led the NBL in defensive field goal percentage. 

·       The Kings led the NBL in defensive rebounding per game. 

• The Kings became just the second Kings team ever to go undefeated during the NBL playoffs (first time 2004/2005 championship team, went 5-0).