Sydney Kings crowned NBL champions after winning epic decider
The Sydney Kings have secured the 2026 NBL championship, defeating the Adelaide 36ers 113-101 in overtime in a dramatic Game 5 decider at Qudos Bank Arena.
The best-of-five series lived up to its billing from the outset. Sydney opened with a statement performance, blowing Adelaide away by 44 points in Game 1 to underline their title credentials. However, the 36ers responded with resilience, bouncing back to level the series and then doing so again after falling behind, forcing a deciding fifth game in front of a record crowd of 18,589 fans.
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The victory delivers Sydney its sixth NBL title and marks a successful return for coach Brian Goorjian, who was tasked with restoring the club to championship contention.
“When I walk around the township, and I’ve won before here, there’s never been this interest,” he said.
“We had it going (in the early 2000s), but the league was in disarray. Right now, doing this, and what this series has done for the league is huge.
“The strength of the NBL, there’s a great base there, and I just think this series has added an enormous amount of respect from the other codes.”
Game 5 proved a fitting finale. Adelaide controlled large portions of the contest and carried a seven-point lead into the final quarter, appearing on track to complete a remarkable turnaround. But the Kings surged late, with Kendric Davis leading the charge as the margin was cut to a single possession in the final minute.
Davis converted under the basket to close the gap before Tim Soares levelled scores at 95-95 with seconds remaining, sending the contest to overtime after Bryce Cotton missed a last-gasp attempt for Adelaide.
From there, Sydney seized control. Davis sparked the extra period with a key steal and added seven points, while Adelaide lost momentum after Nick Rakocevic fouled out early in overtime. The Kings pulled clear late, sealing the championship in front of their home fans.
Davis finished with 35 points and 14 assists to be named series MVP, while Cotton matched him with 35 points for Adelaide in a head-to-head duel that defined the series.
“(I) just couldn’t be prouder of Bryce, his effort, DJ’s (Vasiljevic) willingness to battle and try to guard KD (Kendric Davis) out there, because of Flynn’s (Cameron) foul trouble,” Adelaide coach Mike Wells said.
“Isaac Humphries just had a really, really solid year and he was so good today. And down the line, John (Jenkins) played well and what Zylan (Cheatham) does for our group … I could keep going.”
The Kings were as short as 1.30 with online betting sites ahead of the clash with the 36ers (3.70).
