Kings rue missed opportunities in Phoenix defeat

Out of every scene-stealing win, there’s inevitably a loser – and it was the Sydney Kings’ unfortunate destiny to be on the wrong side of a one-point margin in the spectacular double-overtime thriller on Sunday afternoon.

Derrick Walton Jr was at his best for the Kings with a 45-point double-double, only to be outdone by South East Melbourne's Mitch Creek’s 46-point double-double.

Xavier Cooks went down injured in the early stages of the game, as did Phoenix stars Gary Browne and Ryan Broekhoff. So many aspects of the game mirrored each other, but it was the Phoenix who edged ahead when it counted in the final moments.

Deconstructing the loss post-game, Kings coach Chase Buford believes his side should have emerged from the contest victorious.

“We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory,” Buford said.

“[We] had the game won multiple times and it felt like we just kept finding new ways to let them back in.

“We’re disappointed [we didn’t] close the game better. [We] make free throws and don’t foul and we win in regulation.

“I don’t have to go through the chaos of all the fouls and the drama of that game.”

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Those fouls Buford is alluding to include the five committed by each of DJ Vasiljevic, Jordi Hunter and Tim Soares.

While that key trio were forced to remain on the bench for the closing moments, Walton Jr and Justin Simon were forced to walk the tightrope with four fouls each when the game was on the line.

The teams combined to shoot 79 free throws over the course of the game, and while the Kings shot a better percentage from the charity stripe than the Phoenix it couldn’t carry them to the win.

“It felt like the pile-on of opportunities added up over time and the fouls added up over time,” Buford said.

“We weren’t able to close the game with a line-up anywhere near we’d have a closing line-up. It’s hard to get on the guys about the way we finished when it’s a bunch of guys where that’s probably not expected of them.

“There are a number of areas we wish we would have been better. Defensively we weren’t great all night, but it was one of those games where not a lot of defence was being played so scoring was pretty easy for both teams.”

One man who found scoring easy on the night was Walton Jr.

He shot 51 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from three on his way to a team-high 45 points, and he even added ten assists for good measure.

However, he says the statistics mean nothing since his side didn’t emerge with the win.

“I was always told a point guard is defined by his wins and losses,” Walton Jr said.

“Not to be able to come out on top – I feel like we had it in so many critical moments.

“As much as you want to embrace having a good game, you think of ways you want to win when you play well too.”

Next up for the second-placed Kings is their historic Christmas night showdown with Melbourne United at Qudos Bank Arena, with tickets available here.