Sydney Kings

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.

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.

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.

The Sydneysiders saw two key starters sidelined by injury, but still had too much for the Kiwi club to handle in game 2 of the championship series.

The home side found a better offensive flow in the second quarter, making eight of 15 shots to battle back into the contest with a 21-13 second term, and trail by just four (34-30) at the major break. The Breakers could not have started worse, held to just nine points in the opening quarter as they made 4 of 18 shots, had 9 turnovers and trailed by a dozen (21-9) at the end of a term best forgotten. The Breakers, who shot an abysmal 37% from the floor (26 of 71) and 31% from beyond the arc (11 of 35), clearly have a lot to think about as they prepare for game 3 in Sydney on Friday. The Breakers simply could not survive two horror scoring periods – they had just 9 points in the first quarter and 11 in the third. But it’s a series, it’s one loss, it’s 1-1 and we pick ourselves up and we go again.” But it was the visitors who produced the heroics as the Kiwi outfit came up with their worst performance of the post-season, and were outplayed by the defending champions who led from pillar to post.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.