THE FIRST elimination clash of NBL25 saw the Adelaide 36ers claim a road win over the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night to keep their season alive in the second play-in match of the week.

It was the fifth-placed Kings hosting the Sixers, who finished in sixth spot to set up a thrilling do-or-die matchup between the two most stacked rosters in the NBL. The storyline of the match was completely shifted in the days leading in, with former MVP Xavier Cooks ruled out due to a provisional suspension. It was a huge blow to the Kings, who went from favourites to underdogs in a matter of minutes after losing their most important player.

Despite a gutsy effort from an undermanned Sydney side, the visitors were too good when it mattered most, claiming a seven-point victory to silence the Kings fans at Qudos Bank Arena.

Sydney Kings (88) def. by Adelaide 36ers (95)

The Kings were excellent in the first stages of the match, with point guard Jaylen Adams setting to tone to help his side go on an 8-0 run and lead 16-11. However, the Sixers hit back as Kendric Davis found his groove and Dejan Vasiljevic began to hit his mark from downtown. At the end of the first quarter, it was the visitors who held a one-point lead over Sydney.

Former King Vasiljevic made his presence even more known to start the second quarter, knocking down a trio of three-pointers in the first few minutes to help the Sixers gain an advantage on the scoreboard. Without Cooks, the Kings were forced to double-team the likes of Montrezl Harrell and Isaac Humphries in the low block, and Adelaide’s zippy passes saw Vasiljevic often left open behind the arc. The Sixers led by 10 points at the main change, and the match was slipping away from Sydney.

On a team full of established talent, it was Next Star Alex Toohey who began to turn things around for the Kings. His first five points of the match ignited the crowd, and Sydney began to rally in the third quarter. Big man Cameron Oliver threw down a big dunk and got in the face of Harrell to help the Kings to a 10-0 run and a two-point lead at the final change.

Another former Sydney star began to make his mark, with Jarell Martin knocking down a three-ball to open the fourth quarter, and the Sixers took charge from there. Davis was immense down the stretch to help Adelaide on an 8-0 run, before a Vasiljevic fast break score sealed a memorable win for the visiting side.

Fresh off All-NBL First Team honours and a second-placed finish in the MVP race, Davis starred on the big stage, posting 24 points, five rebounds and six assists, playing a crucial role for Adelaide and helping spark its match-winning run in the fourth quarter.

He had plenty of help from fellow import Harrell, who stuffed the stat sheet in his own right with 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks, letting the courtside Kings fans know when the match was sealed. Vasiljevic was also a crucial factor in the game, knocking down seven triples en route to 25 points for the match.

For the Kings, it was Adams who posted a gutsy performance, delivering 30 points and 10 assists, although turning the ball over nine times as he tried desperately to create for his team. A turning point in the game was when he was forced off the floor in the dying minutes due to a finger injury, which helped Adelaide seal the result.

Oliver was also immense in an important game for him as a key figure in a depleted Kings frontcourt, posting 19 points and 12 rebounds in a typically energetic display. His response after halftime kept the Kings in the match, and his duel with Harrell was enthralling to watch.

It is unfortunately season over for the Kings, while the Sixerrs will now turn their attention to Melbourne, where they will take on the SEM Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon, with the winner of that clash advancing to the semi-finals.