Kings regain top spot after smashing Sixers

The Sydney Kings have regained top spot on the NBL ladder by downing the Adeliade 36ers 97-78 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday. 

Sydney’s ninth win of the NBL23 season, in front of 9389 fans, was game on of the club’s first of four double-headers at Homebush – with the Flames and Bendigo Spirit WNBL fixture following directly after. 

Match summary 

A locked-in Kings side opened the contest by hitting their opening three shots to jump out to a 7-nil lead. Despite Derrick Walton Jr starting to cook for the hosts, the Sixers scored 10 of the next 14 points to close to within one (11-10) and force Chase Buford to call a time-out. That chat worked for the Hoops Capital side, who behind the aggressive play of Xavier Cooks, went into the first break up 24-17. 

Dejan Vasiljevic ended his drought from downtown (missing his past 19 shots from range) to start the second period and keeping the Kings’ score ticking over, as did timely buckets from Isaac Gattorna (stepping up for the injured Kouat Noi (back)) and Walton. Effort plays from Jordi Hunter, including a big block on Kai Sotto, and an athletic dunk by Jaylin Galloway ensured the purple and gold led 48-38 at the main break. 

The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, including highlight dunks by Justin Simon and Cooks – as the margin stayed around the 10-point mark for the majority of the term. Back-to-back late triples by Shaun Bruce and Vasiljevic capped a big quarter for the hosts, who went into the final change up by 12 (75-60). 

The hosts’ onslaught continued in the fourth, as the lead ballooned to 19 following a tough basket by Angus Glover and triple by Tim Soares – which were both assisted by Walton. Buford emptied his bench in the final minutes, allowing his young guns vital time on court - as the Kings ran out impressive 19-point winners.

Where the match was decided 

The dominant 19-point win by Sydney was set up by statistical victories in field goals percentage (55-38 – including shooting 29/45 from two-point land), rebounds (40-36), assists (18-16), steals (9-6), blocks (3-1), points in the paint (52-26), points off turnovers (16-9), bench points (27-20) and fast-break points (11-2) - all while having less turnovers (11-15). 

Key moment 

Although the Kings appeared in control for the majority of the match, the reigning champions solidified that with 14-5 run to end the third quarter/start the fourth. 

Player of the game 

US point guard Derrick Walton Jr was back to his magical best on Sunday, finishing the encounter with 16 points, 11 assists and two rebounds. 

He was one of four starters who reached double-figures in scoring, with Soares (18), Vasiljevic (15) and Cooks (15) joining him – highlighting the balanced output for Buford’s side. 

What’s next 

The harbour city side, who are now 9-3 after the first nine rounds, travel to New Zealand to play the Breakers on Thursday. 

The round 10 clash, pitting the first-placed against the second-placed Breaker, tips off at 5.30pm AEDT at Spark Arena – with it being broadcast on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel.