Sydney Kings

2023 - 3 - 5

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Sydney Kings level NBL Championship series with victory over New ... (ABC News)

The Sydney Kings have defied injuries to Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr to level the NBL grand final series against the New Zealand Breakers with an ...

With Noi having an instant impact off the bench and Dejan Vasiljevic knocking down a long three on the quarter-time buzzer, the Kings led 21-9 at the first break. - The Sydney Kings levelled the five-game series at 1-1 with an away victory in Auckland The Sydney Kings have defied injuries to Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr to level the NBL grand final series against the New Zealand Breakers with an 81-74 win in Game Two.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

Brave Kings overcome mid-game injuries, huge road trip to level ... (Fox Sports)

Brave Kings overcome mid-game injuries, huge road trip to level NBL grand final series.

NBL commentator Jack Heverin and the GOAT Andrew Gaze noticed the “exodus” of Sydney fans with over a minute to go in the clash and the Kings down nine. Twelve days between the last game of the semi final and the first game of the grand final for the FIBA break meant both teams had players sucking in the big ones in game one. Dererk Pardon was hampered for the Breakers and Derrick Walton for the Kings. Incredible fight from the Kings to go to Auckland and win in front of a packed Spark Arena crowd, with neither having a huge impact. Thumbs down if you were among the troop of Kings fans who marched out on their team early. In game two in Auckland, he struggled as Sydney took hold of the contest. A JackJumpers’ fan tweeted Crosscourt he’d look good in Ant green and Brisbane, Perth and South East Melbourne are among his suitors — and even Phoenix import Alan Williams is on the recruiting trail. Simon took over for Sydney in the third quarter with a defensive masterclass. The 24-year-old was worth north of $500k a year before this series, and he’ll still be able to write his own cheque. Ditto Jordy Hunter, who had 15 after halftime in game one and then Kouat Noi, who poured in a team-high 20 points in game two. After leading the Kings with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks in game one, Simon refused to lose game two with a remarkable six steals - five of those coming after halftime - to go with 12 points and nine boards. His 8.7ppg comes on just 32 per cent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from deep.

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Image courtesy of "The New Daily"

Injury-hit Sydney Kings rally to level NBL grand final series against ... (The New Daily)

Sydney Kings have defied injuries to Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr to level the NBL grand final series against New Zealand Breakers with an 81-74 win ...

Their lead stretched to 13 when Vasiljevic started the second stanza with a terrific drive and another three-point bomb but with Walton sidelined, NZ trimmed the gap to four points at halftime. The hosts were ice-cold early, missing their first eight shots and taking almost five minutes to get off the mark as Sydney controlled proceedings with their aggressive defence. Sydney Kings have defied injuries to Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr to level the NBL grand final series against New Zealand Breakers with an 81-74 win in game two.

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Aussie champ signs life-changing NBA deal (NEWS.com.au)

There will be a 11th Australian playing in the NBA very soon after Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks signed a deal with the Washington Wizards.

I’m about to be 28 years old next year. “I’m not a spring chicken anymore. Series begins March 3. The Kings need to win two more games to claim back-to-back titles and send Cooks to the NBA on a winning note. Australia has another player in the NBA after NBL MVP and Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks signed a deal to go to America. There will be a 11th Australian playing in the NBA very soon after Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks signed a deal with the Washington Wizards.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'Belongs among the best': NBL MVP becomes latest Aussie star to ... (Fox Sports)

'Belongs among the best': NBL MVP becomes latest Aussie star to join NBA.

“I speak for the entire Kings family when I say we are thrilled for Xavier to take this next step to the NBA and realise his childhood dream,” Pongrass said in a statement. The 27-year old power forward will play out the remainder of the NBL championship series between Sydney and the New Zealand Breakers before he links up with the Wizards for the rest of the current NBA campaign and 2023/24 on a contract buyout. Another Aussie has joined the NBA, with Sydney Kings NBL MVP Xavier Cooks signing a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards.

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Image courtesy of "South Coast Register"

Sydney Kings star Cooks scores maiden NBA contract (South Coast Register)

Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has signed his maiden NBA contract and will join the Washington Wizards at...

Cooks will next play for the Kings in the third game of the championship series with the New Zealand Breakers on Friday night. Cooks re-signed with the Kings in June but his three-year deal contained a clause allowing him to defect to the NBA or EuroLeague if offered a contract. Cooks has been the form player of the NBL this season and was named the competition's MVP after guiding the Kings to a second-straight championship series.

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

'His childhood dream': Kings star Cooks lands NBA contract (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Xavier Cooks will join the Washington Wizards after the Sydney Kings' final game of the NBL championship series against the New Zealand Breakers.

Cooks signed with the Kings in 2019 after playing professionally in Germany and two stints in the NBA Summer League. We thank X for his contribution to our club – he will forever be a King.” His new teammates are fighting for a spot in the play-offs.

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Image courtesy of "Sporting News AU"

Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks to sign deal with Washington ... (Sporting News AU)

Cooks is currently looking to win back-to-back titles with the Sydney Kings and will join the Wizards at the conclusion of the NBL Grand Final series.

It is obvious that he is an NBA talent and belongs among the best players in the world. “It is difficult to properly articulate the impact X [Cooks] has had on this club. Cooks, who is currently in the midst of the NBL Finals series against the New Zealand Breakers, will join the Wizards at the conclusion of the Grand Finals series for the remainder of the season.

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Image courtesy of "Stuff.co.nz"

'Stressed' NZ Breakers back to drawing board as Sydney Kings level ... (Stuff.co.nz)

Mody Maor says his team missed a gilt-edged opportunity to take a firm grip on the NBL's championship series – but have to forget that now.

We did the same exact coverages,” said Buford. “When the good looks you want don’t fall, sometimes you force other things we want to avoid,” he said. They played with a small dynamic driver and it’s something we should defend better.” “We had some good early looks, couldn’t knock them down, and that seemed to continue throughout the game. But it’s a series, it’s one loss, and we pick ourselves up and go again.” After playing Friday in Sydney, they travelled Saturday and it was no surprise both sides looked jaded when they ran out at Spark on Sunday. I couldn’t be prouder of them right now.” “I have no comment about it.” “You can’t make a shot – we missed a lot of open looks – you get a little tight, and stop executing. Fourteen of Barry Brown Jr’s game-high 21 points came in the final term when the Kings had grown their lead to 18. ”We played stressed tonight which is disappointing,” said Abercrombie. In high-level sport it pays to have a short memory.

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