TWO OF the biggest clubs in the National Basketball League (NBL) will go head to head in some rare Monday night hoops, with Melbourne United hosting the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena for the final clash of Round 7.

United currently sits atop the standings with a perfect record so far throughout the 2025/26 season, having won all of their first nine matches and bested every challenger to prove the comfortable championship favourite.

Now, Melbourne will welcome back a club great in Matthew Dellavedova, who departed the team to join the Kings over the offseason, and would love to be the one to hand United their first loss of the season and even up the playing field a bit.

Melbourne United vs. Sydney Kings

John Cain Arena
Monday, October 3 @ 7:30pm

There has been no better side than United over the first seven rounds of play, with Melbourne proving a class above in all of its outings to date. With a perfect record of nine wins from nine games, it seems there is no slowing down the ladder-leaders as it stands, and they will enter tonight’s clash as favourites once again.

They will come up against another star-studded outfit in the Kings tonight, and will be looking to hit double-digits in the win column. Although the Kings will always pose a threat head to head given the history between the two teams, Melbourne is the toughest assignment in basketball, and with home court advantage, should be able to get the job done.

There is arguably no one more important to Melbourne’s rise this season than import big man Jesse Edwards, who has been immense since joining the team, averaging 14 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in just 20 minutes per game. He has shown glimpses of even more offensive potential, and could take the next step in the coming weeks.

The Kings seem to have gotten back to their best following a blowout win over the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday. In that match, Sydney was relentless, with all of the team’s big names bringing their best to the table as the side delivered its best offensive performance of the season in a result that could get the ball rolling for their championship hopes.

A true test awaits tonight in the form of the undefeated United, but it also is an incredible opportunity for the Kings to truly announce their championship aspirations. If the visitors can upset the ladder-leaders and claim their most impressive win of the season, it will put them firmly back in the race for the ultimate prize.

All eyes will be on Dellavedova as he returns to John Cain Arena for the first time since joining the Kings. Once a staple of United’s backcourt and a driving factor in their yearly contention for the title, the NBA champion will be wearing different colours in his old arena, but will be just as determined to walk away with a win tonight.