HAVING been the best team in the National Basketball League (NBL) since the midway mark of the 2025/26 fixture, the Sydney Kings will be eager to finish in the same fashion when they take on the Adelaide 36ers in the upcoming Championship Series.

The Kings were solid in the first half of the season, but flicked a switch in the final couple of months of NBL26, storming home to claim top spot on the ladder and book home court advantage heading into the postseason.

Having made it through the semi-finals, the Kings are now just three wins away from claiming the ultimate prize, but will face their stiffest competition in some time given the strength of Adelaide’s roster, so expect Brian Goorjian to have some tricks up his sleeve against a plethora of talented players on the Sixers’ list.

Sydney Kings

NBL26 record – 24 wins, nine losses
Ladder position – 1st
Postseason result to date – Defeated the Perth Wildcats in two games

The regular season

There has been no better side in the competition than the Kings since the start of January, with Sydney overcoming a 3-5 start to the year to climb the rankings and eventually contend for the minor championship. It was a three-horse race for the top spot in the final weeks of the season between the Kings, Sixers and the SEM Phoenix, and it was Sydney taking out the chocolates. Once everything clicked for the team from the harbour city, they were almost unstoppable to close out the fixture, and deservingly finished the season in first position on the ladder.

The postseason

The Kings locked in the most favourable matchup of the semi-finals, facing off against a Perth Wildcats outfit that had to play two extra play-in games in order to book their spot in the playoffs. The Kings were expected to get the job done comfortably and reach the Championship Series, but were seriously tested by the Wildcats in game one, escaping with a one-point win at Qudos Bank Arena. It raised concerns that Sydney was not such a sure bet to reach the decider, but responded strongly with a dominant win in game two in Perth to advance through.

The star

Kendric Davis would consider himself unlucky to be awarded the Andrew Gaze Trophy for the NBL’s Most Valuable Player, having carried the Kings to the top spot on the ladder over the course of the regular season and been one of the most productive players in the competition. However, that honour went to his upcoming opponent in Bryce Cotton, so Davis will be thrilled at the opportunity to show voters who he really thinks has been the best player in NBL26. Throughout the season, he averaged 24.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists, and looms as vital to Sydney’s title hopes.

The weapon

A lot of the Kings’ chances of success comes down to restricting the influence of Cotton, who has been on a tear throughout the postseason and has a knack for stepping up in big games. Most of Adelaide’s offence goes through the six-time MVP, so quelling his production is one of the biggest focal points for the Kings, and will require a team defensive effort. That will come in the form of Matthew Dellavedova, Torrey Craig, Makuach Maluach and Jaylin Galloway, and if Sydney’s defensive depth can come to the fore, it may be decisive.

The bottom line

The Kings have been the best team in the NBL in 2026, passing every test and overcoming every challenge thrown at them to date. Although they face their strongest opponent yet, Sydney has the power on both ends of the floor to get the job done.