In a thrilling matchup, the Sydney Kings edged out the Perth Wildcats 88-87 in a nail-biting contest that showcased the best of the NBL. Star player Jaylen Adams stole the show, leading his team to victory with an impressive 27-point, six-assist, and six-steal performance.
The Kings dominated early, racing to a 13-2 lead behind Adams’ eight quick points. They maintained their momentum, building a 27-11 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Despite Perth’s efforts to close the gap, Sydney remained in control, taking a three-point lead into halftime.
A 16-5 run in the third quarter extended the Kings’ lead to 15 points, but Perth refused to back down. Rookie sensation Elijah Pepper ignited the Wildcats’ comeback, draining three consecutive three-pointers to bring his team within four points. He would go on to add two more triples, briefly giving Perth the lead.
In a heart-stopping finish, Adams, Xavier Cooks, and Cam Oliver combined for a 7-0 run to seal the win for Sydney. Cooks contributed 22 points and six rebounds, while Oliver added 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Sydney coach Brian Goorjian praised his team’s grit and determination, saying, “It was an incredible game of basketball… We won the game with our grit and got a couple of offensive rebounds late and some good stops.”
Perth’s Kristian Doolittle led his team with 21 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Bryce Cotton chipped in with 20 points. Pepper’s impressive debut continued with 18 points on 5-of-11 three-point shooting. Despite their valiant effort, the Wildcats were undone by 20 turnovers, which coach John Rillie acknowledged as a key factor in their defeat.
Leave a Reply