IT WAS just about over before it had really begun as the Christmas Day NBL special clash between Sydney Kings and Illawarra Hawks ended up in a blowout in favour of the former at Qudos Bank Arena, 108-84.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Kings are on a red-hot run at the moment, having won five on the trot and nine of their past 11 since starting the 2025\/26 season slowly. Super coach Brian Goorjian<\/em><\/strong> has his team humming, and the return of superstar Xavier Cooks<\/a> has certainly been a blessing with the big man putting up 12 points – shooting nine of 11 from the field – and also recording six rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block in a comprehensive 24-point victory over the Hawks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There were no signs of overdoing the eggnog at Christmas lunch for the home side as the Kings put the foot down from from the opening tip-off, piling on 34 points to 19 in the opening quarter, and by half-time, had a commanding 62-41 lead. It was pleasing for the home fans at Qudos Bank Arena, which saw almost 8000 spectators pack the stands on the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Cooks was the star, he was well supported by Kendric Davis<\/a> who piled on a game-high 27 points, shooting three of six from long-range and also nailing eight of nine from the charity stripe. Davis claim agonsingly close to a double-double (nine assists) and also contributed with four defensive boards too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the Hawks did well off the boards (47-40), the Kings doubled Illawarra’s assist count (30-15), with Sydney’s offence well and truly humming. Matthew Dellavedova<\/a> set up Cooks and Davis with five assists, while the likes of Tim Soares<\/a> (eight points, seven rebounds and three assists) and Kouat Noi<\/a> (18 points, three rebounds and two assists) were prominent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result was tough on the Hawks, whose hopes of making the playoffs are growing slimmer by the day. The biggest positive was the return of Sam Froling<\/a> who was arguably his side’s best, coming back from his Achilles injury sustained in last year’s NBL Finals and managing a double-double in his season debut, picking up 13 points and 12 rebounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the shooting front, JaVale McGee<\/a> (20 points, six rebounds) and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk<\/a> (15 points, two assists) tried hard, while QJ Peterson<\/a> chipped in with an all-round 11 points, four rebounds and three assists. It would not be enough though, as the Hawks slumped to 6-13 on the season, three wins off the last Play-In Spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Illawarra will need to dust itself off ahead of a home New Years Eve contest against Tasmania JackJumpers, with Sydney facing the Bullets at home the night before on December 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n