Kings outlast 36ers in HoopsFest thriller

The Sydney Kings have opened their NBL25 campaign with a HoopsFest win over the Adelaide 36ers 102-94 at Perth's RAC Arena.

Match summary

Jaylen Adams started the game on fire, scoring the Kings’ first eight points (including two triples), forcing Adelaide to call a time-out after trailing 8-0 after just 69 seconds of action. Further triples by Alex Toohey and Adams made it 14-3. The Sixers responded with a barrage of triples through Lat Mayen, Nick Marshall and Jason Cadee, to reduce the margin to 25-24. Free-throws by Montrezl Harrell put Adelaide in front before the two teams traded baskets – as the Sixers led by one (28-27) at the first break). 

A pair of shots from the charity stripe by Xavier Cooks saw the Kings poke their noses back in front. Scores by Cooks and Keli Leaupepe saw the Hoops Capital side extend their lead. Sydney’s strong defence, combined with a triple by Cam Oliver, saw the lead balloon to 39-30. Scores by Jaylin Galloway and Shaune Bruce capped an impressive 12-0 by the Kings. Adelaide didn’t go away though, scoring nine straight themselves – including back-to-back threes by Dejan Vasiljevic. A tough and-one by Cooks kept Sydney’s scoring ticking over but Adelaide stayed close with even more triples (11/20 through the first 20 minutes). At the half, Brian Goorjian’s troops led 51-48.

A Mayan jam was quickly cancelled out by an Adams shot from downtown with another and-one by Cooks making it 59-52. But the 36ers again stuck around, this time rattling off a 12-3 run, sparked by Harrell – to take a 67-66 lead with just under three to play. Adelaide’s lead grew to as many as six but four straight by Adams slowed that. At the end of three, Adelaide led 75-70.

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An alley-oop and-one by Oliver opened proceedings in the fourth, which was followed by a Toohey two and Cooks triple. But easy scores by Mayen and Isaac Humphries ensured Adelaide stayed in front by two possessions. Consecutive triples by Bul Kuol closed it to 85-84 before an Oliver three made it 87-85 to Sydney. Oliver’s hustle then made it a five-point lead by Sydney. Solid plays on both sides of the ball by Toohey helped Goorjian’s side lead 99-92 with 1.17 to play. A dagger step-back by Sydney’s NBL Next Star and clutch free-throw by Adams iced the 102-94 win by the harbour city side.

Where the match was decided 

Sydney won the game despite losing the field goal battle (49 per cent to 37), the Kings were victorious thanks to statistical wins in free-throw percentage (88-66), steals (8-5), second-chance points (24-12), points off turnovers (21-10) and turnovers (8-16).

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Key moment 

A 32-19 final period by the Kings helped them secure a season-opening win on Sunday.

Player of the game

Adams was the star of the show, recording 25 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block.

Other standouts were Cooks (19 points and 13 rebounds), Oliver (19 points and seven boards) and Toohey (15 points).

What’s next

Brian Goorjian’s team now stay in Perth for a clash with the Wildcats at RAC Aren on Friday, September 27 – tipping off at 9.30pm AEST.

The Hoops Capital side then returns to Qudos Bank Arena for their first home game on NBL25 against Freeway Series rivals Illawarra.

Tickets to the match, tipping off at 2.15pm AEST on Sunday, September 29, are still available here.