Kings' historic Christmas clash flourishes

The first-ever Christmas night game in NBL history is now in the books and although the Sydney Kings will be remembered as the winners on the day, the true victors from the occasion were the Australian sporting public.

Over 7,000 fans packed into Qudos Bank Arena to see the latest chapter in the rivalry between the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United, and countless more sport-loving individuals from all over the country tuned into the live telecast of the game.

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Such was the success of the first-ever Christmas clash, NBL analyst Liam Santamaria believes it’s primed to only get bigger.

“[A] really big success,” Santamaria said on NBL Today. [A] really healthy crowd under the circumstances of it being the first time … and I’m sure the ratings will be really high on TV.

“We had the iPad set up on the table with the game among all the meats and all the trimmings, and it was just a sensational day with family and friends.

“I just think onwards and upwards from here. Maybe even a double-header at some stage moving forward.”

Off-court success aside, it was Xavier Cooks who played a key role in giving the gift of a win to the raucous Sydney fans.

The MVP candidate shook off an ankle injury to not only take part in the game but dominate it.

“He was big in all the key moments,” Santamaria said of Cooks’ performance.

“He set the tone and they (the Kings) marched out to a double-digit lead because he was on the front foot.

“It was an MVP-calibre performance from Xavier Cooks and I’m just really happy he was able to step out onto the floor because he was under and injury cloud … but the Kings had Cooks on the floor and that’s the reason why they got the chocolates.

Next up for the Kings are the JackJumpers at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday, as part of the Hoops Capital double-header which will see the Flames take on the Capitals too.

Tickets for the hoops extravaganza can be purchased here.