'Best of the year' Kings drop the hammer on Phoenix

• Kouat Noi still on a heater, drops 24 against Phoenix
• Kings move to 16-10 and second on the NBL Ladder
• Nathan Sobey has 28 in 11 point loss

Sydney Kings delivered a masterclass performance to secure a crucial 103-92 victory (Game Centre) against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in a pivotal NBL25 Round 17 clash at the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

The win, described by Kings coach Brian Goorjian as their "best of the year", saw Sydney build a commanding 23-point lead before fending off a late Phoenix surge to cement their position in the race for a top-two finish in NBL25.

The Kings, determined to shed their reputation as comeback specialists, came out firing from the opening tip. Bul Kuol ignited the visitors with five quick points, sparking a 13-3 run that set the tone for the evening. Sydney's relentless offensive onslaught reached its peak in a blistering 36-point second quarter, propelling them to a 62-45 halftime advantage.

Sydney's sharpshooting was on full display, as they connected on 8-from-13 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half. The Kings' efficiency extended to the charity stripe, where they converted 14-of-15 free throws. In contrast, the Phoenix struggled to find their rhythm, shooting a meagre 35% from the field before the break.

The statistical disparity told the story of the game. Sydney's red-hot 64% shooting in the first half, coupled with their dominance from three-point range and the free-throw line, proved insurmountable for the Phoenix.

South East Melbourne's offensive woes were further compounded by the Kings' suffocating defence, which forced 15 turnovers and converted them into crucial points.

Kouat Noi emerged as the standout performer for Sydney, torching the nets for 24 points off the bench, including a scorching 6-from-9 from three-point territory. The explosive forward's performance was complemented by Jaylen Adams, who overcame back soreness to contribute 20 points, nine assists, and four steals in a complete  game.

"I like the way we've been practising, I like the way we've been going moving forward and this thing's for the taking," Goorjian said post-game, exuding confidence in his team's championship aspirations. "And why not? We're in there, we're throwing punches."

For the Phoenix, Nathan Sobey's valiant 28-point effort wasn't enough to overcome their collective shooting struggles. Matt Hurt, typically a reliable scoring option, was held to just 11 points on 4-from-13 shooting

The victory improves Sydney's record to 16-10, inching them closer to securing a coveted top-two position.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix remain in fifth place at 14-11, missing a golden opportunity to climb the ladder.

Both teams face quick turnarounds, with Sydney hosting the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night, while South East Melbourne welcome the Tasmania JackJumpers to the State Basketball Centre on Saturday. As the NBL25 season enters its crucial final stages, every game takes on added significance in the battle for playoff positioning.