Quick Read
- Sydney Kings defeated Perth Wildcats 108-79 at RAC Arena in Round 12 of the 2025/26 NBL season.
- Kendric Davis scored 38 points, leading a dominant second-half performance for the Kings.
- Bul Kuol delivered a standout defensive effort, limiting Perth’s Kristian Doolittle to just 5 points.
- The 29-point margin matched the Wildcats’ biggest ever home loss.
- Key players returned for both teams, but Perth struggled to maintain consistency throughout the game.
Kendric Davis Ignites Kings in Historic Win Over Wildcats
Friday night at RAC Arena, the Sydney Kings sent a clear message to the rest of the NBL: they mean business. Led by last season’s MVP runner-up Kendric Davis, who erupted for 38 points, the Kings overwhelmed the Perth Wildcats 108-79. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement, and it matched the largest margin of defeat the Wildcats have ever suffered at home.
From the outset, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Perth fans packed the arena, hoping their team could rebound after a tough last-minute loss to Adelaide. Early on, the game looked competitive. The Kings edged ahead by just a point after the first quarter and clung to a slender two-point lead at halftime. But beneath the surface, Sydney’s control was growing. The Wildcats fought hard, but their grip slipped as Davis and his teammates turned up the heat.
Second Half Surge: Davis and Kuol Steal the Spotlight
The third quarter proved pivotal. Davis, almost impossible to contain, nailed four three-pointers as part of a blistering 14-point run. His performance didn’t just pad the scoreboard—it broke Perth’s spirit. By three-quarter time, the Kings had opened up a 13-point gap, and their momentum was unstoppable.
Bul Kuol, meanwhile, delivered one of the season’s standout defensive performances. Coach Brian Goorjian’s decision to match Kuol against Perth’s Kristian Doolittle paid off handsomely. Doolittle, usually a reliable scorer, managed just five points all night, going 2-for-10 from the field. In Kuol’s 20 minutes, the Kings outscored the Wildcats by 22—a testament to strategic planning and gritty execution.
Wildcats Falter as Kings Showcase Depth
As the final quarter began, the Wildcats looked for answers, but none came. Sydney outscored Perth 32-16 in the last period, as the home team’s fight evaporated in front of 10,958 stunned fans. The Wildcats’ shooting woes were glaring—they hit just 33% from the field, compared to the Kings’ scorching 56%.
Xavier Cooks was flawless, sinking all seven of his attempts for 17 points, and grabbing six rebounds. Kouat Noi joined the party, draining six threes for 23 points. Tim Soares chipped in with nine points and five boards. For Perth, Dylan Windler (14 points, eight rebounds) and David Duke Jr (13 points, seven assists) showed flashes, but marquee center Jo Lual-Acuil Jr struggled, scoring just nine on 3-for-11 shooting.
Coaching Perspectives: Urgency and Reflection
Wildcats coach John Rillie, reflecting on his team’s recent form, remained optimistic. “I’m going to stay positive with us,” he said, emphasizing the growth Perth has shown over the past month. Rillie acknowledged his squad’s inconsistency, noting, “We certainly showed for 70 or 75 minutes that we can be in the upper echelon. It’s the consistency of that we’ve got to bring.”
For Sydney, coach Brian Goorjian was frank about the stakes. “Our situation now is we are in a dog fight to try to get into these Playoffs and we cannot keep losing games,” he said. With key veterans Matthew Dellavedova and Shaun Bruce returning from injury, the Kings had marked this clash as a must-win—and they delivered.
Both teams now face rapid turnarounds. The Kings will travel to Melbourne United, while the Wildcats head to Brisbane to face the Bullets. With the season’s playoff race heating up, every game counts.
Key Absences and Impact
The match unfolded amid notable absences. Perth’s Jaron Rillie remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Sydney were missing Jason Spurgin (foot) and Keli Leaupepe (knee), with Leaupepe ruled out for the season. The ability to adapt and excel despite these setbacks highlighted the depth and resilience of the Kings’ roster.
What This Means for the NBL Season
For the Kings, this victory could be a turning point. After a rough patch that saw them drop to a 7-7 record, they’ve shown they can regroup and dominate. Davis’s electrifying performance and the team’s defensive tenacity suggest Sydney is ready to challenge for the top spots.
For Perth, the loss raises tough questions. Their strong starts have often faded, and the inability to sustain momentum against elite opposition is now a concern. With the playoffs looming, the Wildcats must find answers—fast.
Fans witnessed not just a game, but a glimpse of the tactical chess match playing out across the NBL. On this night, Sydney’s pieces moved flawlessly, while Perth’s strategy unraveled. The season’s story is far from over, but the Kings’ win will echo through the league as a benchmark for what’s possible when talent and preparation converge.
Assessment: Sydney’s 29-point win wasn’t just a statistical outlier—it revealed a team rediscovering its identity at a critical juncture in the season. Kendric Davis’s leadership and the Kings’ strategic flexibility exposed the Wildcats’ vulnerabilities, suggesting a shift in the balance of power within the NBL. As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the night in Perth may be remembered as the moment the Kings reignited their playoff ambitions, while the Wildcats faced the hard truth about consistency at the elite level.