Kings lose thriller to Wildcats in The Jungle

The Sydney Kings have suffered their third loss of NBL25, losing 87-84 to the Perth Wildcats on Friday night. 

Match summary 

 Alex Toohey opened the game’s scoring from the free-throw line before Dylan Windler rattled off four straight for the hosts. Xavier Cooks settled proceedings for Sydney with three driving lay-ups but the Kings still found themselves down 14-7. Scores by Toohey and Izayah Le’afa closed the Kings’ deficit to four before Cooks’ excellence (10 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block in the first term) made it 16-all. An 11-2 run by Brian Goorjian’s side put the purple and gold back in front. A late triple by Bul Kuol ensured the two teams were all tied up (21-all) at the first change. 

PURCHASE YOUR NBL25 FULL-SEASON MEMBERSHIP NOW

Inside scores by Cooks and Cam Oliver put the Kings’ noses in front early in the term. The two teams then traded buckets through Izan Almansa and Oliver – with the latter hitting back-to-back tough fadeaways before emphatically blocking Windler. A straight-on triple by Le’afa, followed by a fastbreak lay-up by Jaylin Galloway, put the visitors up 38-32 with 2.13 to play. The run moved out to 10-0 before Keanu Pinder ended the drought with a floater. A late score by that Wildcats big man made it 44-41 to Sydney. 

Sparked by Pinder, the hosts scored the first eight points of the third, seeing Goorjian call a time-out. Despite intense defensive pressure by the hosts, Shaun Bruce hit a clutch triple before Kouat Noi slammed it down. The constant offensive rebounds by Perth hurt the Kings but late threes by Bruce and Oliver, as well as a tough and-one by the former, ensured the Hoops Capital side only trailed by five at the final change. 

PURCHASE YOUR KINGS HOME GAME TICKETS NOW

Cooks and Le’afa helped close the margin to a one-possession game, while Galloway’s attack on the rim caused issues for the Cats. But Goorjian’s side couldn’t stop Perth scoring, particularly Pinder and Almansa, as the score moved to 78-71 with 4.14 to play. A quickfire Noi triple closed it to four before the NSW junior added another five in a hurry – including a go-ahead three with 1.15 on the clock. Despite another shot from downtown by Noi, free-throws by Elijah Pepper iced the game for the Cats by three. 

Where the match was decided 

The main category that determined the round six result was the rebounding count (56-35), which included the most ever offensive boards ever conceded by the Kings in a 40-minute game. 

As well as that, Perth ended their three-game skid by dominating the statistical categories of free-throw percentage (77-61), points in the paint (46-36) and second0chanxe points (26-8). 

Key moment  

The Kings’ lead at the break was quickly evaporated in the only minutes of the third quarter. That ascendancy, as well as their constant attack on the boards, laid the platform for the hosts’ victory. 

Player of the game 

Cooks and Oliver were the two standouts for the Kings in the loss. 

The NBL23 MVP tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, six dimes, three blocks and two steals, while Oliver added 17 points, nine boards, three blocks, two assists and one steal. 

The final King in double-figures was Noi, who nailed three triples on his way to 15 points. 

Watch Brian Goorjian's post-game press conference via the 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 

Goorjian’s team, who are now 5-3, now head back Qudos Bank Arena for their third home match of NBL25 – pitting them against the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday, October 27 from 2.15pm. 

Tickets to the round six clash are still available here.