Sixers end Kings' NBL25 season

The Sydney Kings’ NBL25 is unfortunately over after losing Thursday’s play-in qualifier to Adelaide 95-88 at Qudos Bank Arena. 

Match summary 

Bul Kuol opened the scoring with a floater but the visitors responded with seven of hte next nine to take the lead. Free-throws from Jaylen Adams kept it close for Sydney. In fact, the NBL22 MVP scored nine straight for the hosts. Combine that with a triple by Kuol and lay-in by the freshly crowned Sixth Man of the Year Kouat Noi and the Hoops Capital side were on an 8-0 run. The two sides then traded buckets as the quarter wound down, with a massive Cam Oliver slam being cancelled out by a Kendric Davis triple – to give the visitors a 23-22 lead at the first change. 

The Sixers rattled off the first five of the term before the Kings responded through Adams and Tyler Robertson. Former King Dejan Vasiljevic had his radar on from downtown, which combined with multiple offensive rebounds, saw the lead grow to seven. When Jason Cadee and David landed triples in quick succession, the score was all of a sudden 49-35. A late and-one by Adams closed the margin to 51-41 at the main break. 

Sydney opened the term on a 14-6 run powered by Alex Toohey and Oliver offensively and Izayah Le’afa defensively, forcing Mike Wells into a time-out. The hosts regained the lead (58-57) after an Oliver and-one, with scores by Adams, Makuach Maluach and Noi extending that advantage to six. Two late triples by Vasiljevic closed it to just two (71-69) at three-quarter-time. 

Jarell Martin’s three opened the scoring in the fourth before Maluach’s impressive game continued, with a lay-in following an Adams’ dime. The latter then nailed a three-pointer, which was swiftly followed by a steal and score by Toohey and Oliver free-throws. The rivals exchanged baskets at the clock ticked down but in the end, the Sixers had too much and held on by seven points. 

Where the match was decided 

Statistically, Adelaide triumphed due to superior field goal percentage (50-45), free-throw percentage (100-81) and three-pointer made (13-8), 

Key moment 

With the score 81-79 to the Sixers with 5.02 to play, the visitors outscored their rivals 14-9 to secure the victory. 

Player of the game 

Adams was the first Kings player ever to have 30 points and 10 assists in a finals game. 

The other standout was Oliver, who finished with 19 points, 12 boards, three dimes, three blocks and one steal. 

What’s next 

Goorjian’s team will start preparations for NBL26 and their chase for a sixth championship banner.