ONE OF the most anticipated matchups of the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) fixture took place over the weekend, and in a game that had plenty of build up, it was the Sydney Kings who got the job done over the Adelaide 36ers, with Kouat Noi providing a spark off the bench.

The match was billed as a spicy encounter between former Sixer Kendric Davis and his new team in the Kings, given there has been a bit of public bad blood over the past few months between the two parties, so it was certainly circled on the NBL calendar.

It was a magnificent start from the Kings in the opening frame, limiting Sixers star Bryce Cotton‘s impact by denying the five-time MVP as many possessions as possible, and the visitors snatched an early lead at Adelaide Entertainment Centre. From there, Sydney never looked back, cruising home to a 24-point win in enemy territory.

Although Davis was productive with 22 points in a big game from a personal standpoint, it was Noi who top-scored for the victors, making his mark off the bench by showing an improved level of aggression on the offensive end.

Adelaide 36ers (79) def. by Sydney Kings (103)

Kouat Noi – 29 points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal

Noi made the most of his 24 minutes of court time to prove a defining factor in a massive contest, leading from the front despite being on the road and giving Sydney a vital injection of offensive production.

He came into the game midway through the first term when proceedings were still tight, wasting no time with a nice turnaround jumper from midrange to give the Kings the lead. He repeated that play less than a minute later, and Noi’s ability to use his feet to spin away from the opposition was a real weapon. The forward then nailed a driving layup through contact for an and-one play, which he promptly converted to start the game in red-hot fashion.

Although the second quarter was interrupted with trips to the bench, Noi was still able to hit the scoreboard late in the piece as the Kings maintained a strong lead on the scoreboard. He splashed home a standing three-pointer to ensure Sydney remained 13 points in front at the main change.

The third quarter saw Noi become much more aggressive with ball in hand, driving inside and forcing the defence to commit fouls and send him to the free throw line, where he showed plenty of composure. Six made shots from the charity stripe was a productive way to play, while he also nailed a strong layup and another three-pointer as the Kings were simply too good for the Sixers, still leading at the final change.

Noi’s aggression when driving to the basket remained in the fourth quarter, continuing to draw contact and produce points at the free throw line. The forward nailed his third and fourth three-pointers to put the game well and truly out of reach and cap off a commanding display off the bench in Sydney’s most impressive win of the season to date.

Ending the match with 29 points to his name on 8/13 shooting from the field, 4/7 from three-point land and 9/10 from the free throw line, Noi was terrific for Sydney in an outstanding road win, and added another dimension to its offensive set up.