- Adelaide 36ers overturned an 11-point deficit to defeat Sydney Kings 91-85 in NBL26 Round 15.
- Flynn Cameron led the 36ers with a career-high 25 points, rallying the team to a crucial win.
- Kendric Davis starred for the Kings with 26 points, but Sydney was hampered by injuries and foul trouble.
- The victory propelled Adelaide to the top of the ladder with an 18-4 record, ending Sydney’s six-game win streak.
36ers Break Kings’ Momentum: A Night of Upsets and Comebacks
On January 2nd, 2026, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre was charged with anticipation as the Adelaide 36ers faced off against the Sydney Kings in NBL26’s Round 15. Fans packed the arena, hoping for fireworks—and the game delivered. The 36ers, riding high atop the ladder, were looking to avenge two earlier losses to the Kings this season. Sydney, meanwhile, arrived in Adelaide with swagger, riding a six-game winning streak and 10 wins from their last 12 outings.
Early on, it seemed Sydney’s dominance would continue. The Kings, led by their electric guard Kendric Davis, stormed to an 11-point lead late in the first half. Adelaide, cold from the field, shot just 33 percent overall and a paltry 16 percent from three-point range. Davis was relentless, racking up 15 points by halftime, while Adelaide’s MVP frontrunner Bryce Cotton was held to just seven.
Injury Troubles and Turning Points
The Kings’ night took a turn for the worse before halftime. Bul Kuol, a key defensive stopper and one of the heroes in Sydney’s earlier win over Adelaide, went down with a knee injury and would not return. The absence of Kouat Noi—last year’s Sixth Man of the Year and a recent 29-point scorer against the 36ers—left Sydney shorthanded. The squad’s depth was tested further when Tim Soares fouled out with nearly six minutes left on the clock.
These setbacks cracked the door open for Adelaide, and the 36ers seized the moment. Flynn Cameron, usually a secondary scoring option, erupted for a career-high 25 points, driving his team’s comeback. Cameron’s energy was infectious; he attacked the rim, drained jumpers, and kept Adelaide’s hopes alive even as he fouled out in the final seconds. Dejan Vasiljevic, ice-cold in the first half, thawed out to finish with 13 points, while Bryce Cotton, bottled up for three quarters, found space late to push his total to 16.
Resilience and Redemption: How Adelaide Flipped the Script
The second half showcased Adelaide’s resilience. Where they’d faltered before—most notably in their heavy 103-79 defeat to Sydney earlier in the season—the 36ers now responded with grit. Defense tightened, ball movement improved, and the Kings’ once-efficient offense sputtered under pressure. The game, broadcast live on Kayo Sports, saw momentum swing Adelaide’s way as the crowd urged them on.
For Sydney, the loss stings—not just for ending their streak, but for slipping further behind the ladder leaders. Davis did everything he could, finishing with a game-high 26 points and cementing his MVP candidacy. But with key pieces missing and fatigue setting in, the Kings couldn’t hold off Adelaide’s charge.
What This Means for the NBL26 Race
This result shakes up the NBL26 landscape. Adelaide’s win, their first over Sydney this season, boosts their record to 18-4 and solidifies their grip on first place. The Kings, now 13-8, face questions about their depth and ability to weather adversity as the season heats up.
For the 36ers, this victory is more than just two points—it’s a statement. After falling twice to the Kings earlier, including a heartbreaking overtime loss, Adelaide proved they could adapt, adjust, and deliver under pressure. As the playoffs loom, both teams will look back on this game as a defining moment, one that revealed both strengths and vulnerabilities.
This clash was a study in basketball resilience. Adelaide’s ability to regroup after early struggles, capitalize on Sydney’s misfortunes, and finish strong is a blueprint for championship ambition. For the Kings, the night underscores how quickly fortunes can shift in the NBL, and why roster depth matters as much as star power. The race for the title just got a lot more interesting.