SYDNEY Kings celebrated their third NBL title in five seasons after overcoming Adelaide 36ers by 12 points in an action-packed game five of the Championship series at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon. In front of almost 20,000 fans, the Kings came from seven points down at the final break to equalise and send the match into a fitting overtime where they scored a 113-101 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In an incredible conclusion to one of the best finals series the NBL has ever seen, it was only deserving that the two heavyweights of 2025\/26 went to overtime in the last match of the season. Sydney had thrashed the 36ers in the two previous finals at home, while going down in nail-biters over in the City of Churches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Game five had a little of both, with the Kings able to storm to victory at home, but only after the 36ers threatened to snatch the title in a nail-biter. Adelaide lead by just two points at quarter time, then Sydney flipped that to take a one-point advantage into the final break. The 36ers, lead by Bryce Cotton<\/a> once again, powered to a dominant 21-13 third term which handed them a seven-point advantange with a quarter to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two best players of the year had their say in the dying moments of quarter four, with Cotton fouled and sent to the line with his side up by one. He drained all three to give the 36ers a four-point lead with 44 seconds on the clock. Not wasting any time, the Kings managed to get the ball in the hands of Kendric Davis<\/a> who duly delivered a pull up jumper to cut the deficit to just two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the visitors missing a chance – and then Davis just missing the three-point jumper – Tim Soares<\/a> stepped up to pull in the offensive board and then tip the ball into the basket, levelling the scores with five seconds remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adelaide made sure Cotton was the last one to have a chance with a second to play, attempting a driving layup, but with enormous defence around, he could not drive it home and the buzzer sounded with both sides at 95 points apiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While overtime was relatively even for the first part, the Kings put the foot down in the final three and a half minutes to go on a 12-1 run and finish in style. Davis and Jaylin Galloway<\/a> were superb in the final stretch, and a comprehensive dunk by Makuach Maluach<\/a> with under a minute on the clock put an exclamation mark on the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Davis earned Finals MVP for his outstanding series, finishing game five with a whopping 35 points – including six triples – and 14 assists. Soares (20 points, seven rebounds) and Galloway (16 points, six rebounds) were both handy, while Xavier Cooks<\/a> once again stood up in big moments with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the 36ers, Cotton went toe-for-toe with Davis, also shooting 35 points with six triples, while managing nine assists and four rebounds. Zylan Cheatham<\/a> (15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists) and Nick Rakocevic<\/a> were huge off the bench to pick up double-doubles. Isaac Humphries<\/a> (14 points, nine rebounds) was also not too far off achieving the feat as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately though, the Kings were just too strong and well-balanced across the board, deservingly coming away with their third trophy in five seasons. Players will now head for a well-deserved break, though for some, NBL1 beckons, while for others, overseas basketball is calling. Either way, it was the perfect end to an incredible season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n