Vasiljevic explosion steers Kings to win over Phoenix

The Sydney Kings cemented top spot on the NBL ladder on Friday by smashing South East Melbourne 118-102 in front of 11,321 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. 

The man of the moment was guard Dejan Vasiljevic, who nailed 10 triples on his way to a career-high 42 (eclipsing his previous mark of 33 against Illawarra in NBL22). 

His outburst broke the franchise mark for triples in a 40-minute game (previously held by Casper Ware (eight) in 2020) and moves him into the top 10 all-time in the NBL – as the last player to have 10 or more threes in a game was Bryce Cotton in 2020. 

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He’s also become the third King to have made 10 or more triples in a game, following Aaron Trahair (10) and Shane Heal (12, twice). 

Match summary 

Kings’ Dejan Vasiljevic and Phoenix’s Junior Madut traded triples to open the match’s scoring, as the visitors raced out to a 17-11 lead after seven straight points by Mitch Creek. Despite their improved defence, poor shooting by the Kings (except for Vasiljevic who had eight for the term) prevented them from closing the margin – as South East Melbourne led 30-24 after one. 

That margin quickly evaporated as back-to-back triples by Vasiljevic and an and-one by Jordi Hunter (passed by Vasiljevic) saw the Kings go up 34-33. The amazing first half of Australian Boomer Vasiljevic continued, as his 22 points at the break helped the Hoops Capital side lead 58-55. The Miami University alum was well-supported by Hunter and Jackson Makoi, who combined for 14 points off the bench at the main break. 

Seven straight by Xavier Cooks to open the term (including a ferocious slam) helped the Kings’ lead grow to nine midway through the period. Plays by Angus Glover and Kouat Noi stretched that to double digits but buckets by Creek and Reuben Te Rangi powered the visitors back to within just three. Late shots from downtown by Vasiljevic and Shaun Bruce made it 89-80 heading into the fourth. 

Vasiljevic kept cooking in the fourth with five early points before quickly adding another five, as the lead extended to 16. Soares chimed in with two quick triples of his own for Chase Buford’s side, making it 111-92 with 3.23 to play. Down the stretch, Vasiljevic entered the record books with his 10th triple, was the Kings ran out 16-point winners. 

The tally of 118 points by the Kings is the most by a team since round nine of the 2020/21 season when Sydney had 119. 

Where the match was decided 

A week after producing the second-best field goal percentage in franchise history against Tasmania, the Kings shot 17/23 (73 per cent) from deep, marking their second-best mark in club history. Backing that up was statistical wins in rebounds (38-36), assists (22-19), bench points (52-46), second chance points (21-15), points off turnovers (22-17), bench points (34-15) and fastbreak points (19-7) - while producing fewer turnovers (12-9). 

Key moment 

When Vasiljevic hit his first three-point attempt after just 55 seconds, there was a sense the guard had found his mojo back and then when he had 22 at the break, there was a sense something special was about to unfold at Qudos Bank Arena. That hunch was correct, as the 25-year-old put on one of the greatest-ever shows produced by a player in the purple and gold - joining Cotton and Jermaine Beal as the only players to hit 10 triples in the 40-minute era.

Player of the game 

Stepping up for his back-court mate Derrick Walton Jr (who missed the round 14 clash with an ankle complaint), Vasiljevic produced his best performance of the season and his NBL career – tallying 42 points, six rebounds, five assists and one steal. 

Others to reach double figures were Cooks (16), Soares (15), Hunter (10) and Noi (10). 

What’s next 

The harbour city side, who are now 14-5, will continue their summer home stand at Qudos Bank Arena, with their first clash with the Perth Wildcats in NBL23. 

The two NBL20 grand final opponents will face off from 8pm AEDT on Saturday, January 7. 

Tickets are still available for the blockbuster showdown here.