'Mic drop': Flynn on fire in playoff atmosphere

• Latest News: Read more about the NBL here
• Box Scores: All 165 games of the 2025-26 NBL season
• 2025-26 NBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker

A five-game series like that, please.

The box score will read Adelaide 36ers defended their home court 85-79 against the red hot Sydney Kings in Round 15 of NBL26 on Friday, January 3, 2026 but this game was so much more than that.

The box score will show Flynn Cameron had a scorching breakout game for the 36ers: 25 points on 9-from-10 from the field including a ridiculous 6-from-7 threes but this game was so much more than that.

It shaped as a NBL26 Grand Finals Series for the ages.

Adelaide is 18-4 and top of the table while the Kings dropped to 13-8. Sydney's record belies fourth place after starting the season 3-5. They gone 10-3 in their last 13.

"I thought the energy from the crowd, the energy from the teams — you saw two teams that really wanted to compete," Adelaide head coach Mike Wells said.

"We need these types of situations.

"Everything was a grind. Every possession mattered. Every rebound mattered. All those big shots in the fourth. Flynn played a whole bunch of minutes.

"I’ve never seen anybody get tired when they’re making shots. You get tired when you miss shots and things get hard.

"What we’ve done the last two games is things have gotten easier in the second half because our defence has done this, our physicality’s done this, our rebounding’s done this. We’ve risen to the challenge, and then it makes our offense easier."

The Kings held the 36ers to just 35 points in the first half, hard doubled the ball out of Bryce Cotton's hands while former Adelaide 36ers star guard Kendric Davis, Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova each made big plays to lead 41-35 at the main break.

The Kings were without bench spark Kouat Noi because of illness but lost defensive engine Bul Kuol to a knee injury in the second quarter. Kuol was doing a job on Cotton and is a lynchpin in the Kings defense. Kings head coach Brian Goorjian also had to manage centre Tim Soares who was in foul trouble early, middle and late, fouling out with five minutes to go.

"I think it’s quite obvious that they ground us down and overtook it, and it started going their direction as they got to us," Goorjian said.

"Tim fouling out of the game, Bul going out of the game, addressing not having Kouat here and what we would have to do, the style that we’d have to play — and I thought, full credit to them, they’re a great team. But I’m really happy with how we went about our business.

"If you know anything about basketball, it was quite obvious where it went wrong for us. We just had groups out there that had never played together, depending a lot on KD — just one guy offensively dribbling the ball.

"The Bul hit was a big one. He had a big influence in both times we’ve played these guys prior and has been real important. But on the offensive side of the ball, once Tim went out, we ended up with groups that were a little bit clunky offensively and didn’t get good shots at the basket."

Goorjian also recognised the Kings vs 36ers in the playoffs would be for all the marbles.

"If you’re playing them, you’re playing for the championship — or if you beat them, you’re good enough to win it.

"The team they’ve assembled — two marquee imports, three imports, and Bryce — that’s a squad. It’s well drilled, well coached, incredible atmosphere.

"I love coming down here and playing games like this. Some of the best games I’ve ever been involved in, and I’ve been in the league 25, 30 years, took place here.

"Tonight, the atmosphere was as good as it’s ever been.

"I loved the way we were early. Just really disappointing we couldn’t maintain it."

The box score will show the 36ers won by six points after Dejan Vasiljevic hit a three from the carpark with five seconds left but when both clubs go back and look at the film it will show the 36ers were at full strength while the Kings played without Noi, more than a half without Kuol and Soares in foul trouble, managing about 18 minutes on the road.

Kuol status is now uncertain. They go again on January 25, 2026 in Sydney for the last time in regular season. NBL fans may get six more before NBL26 is done.

Key Details

• Result: Adelaide 36ers 85 def. Sydney Kings 79
• When: Thursday, 2nd January 2025
• Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Flynn Cameron (Adelaide 36ers) starred with 25 points, one rebound, four assists, two steals, and one block in 35 minutes.
• Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) scored 26 points, and had five rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 36 minutes.

What Happened

The Kings established early control, outscoring Adelaide 26-19 in the opening quarter behind strong offensive execution. Sydney maintained their advantage through the second period, adding 15 points to Adelaide's 16, taking a 41-35 lead into the main break.

Adelaide responded emphatically in the third quarter, outscoring the Kings 21-18 to close the gap and set up a thrilling final period. The 36ers then dominated the fourth quarter, exploding for 29 points while holding Sydney to just 20, completing a remarkable comeback victory.

Flynn Cameron's exceptional shooting display proved decisive for Adelaide. The guard was outstanding, connecting on nine-of-10 attempts from the field, including a sensational six-of-seven from downtown. His 90% field goal accuracy and 85.7% three-point shooting provided the spark Adelaide needed to overcome their early deficit.

Bryce Cotton orchestrated Adelaide's offense with 10 assists while contributing 16 points, though his shooting was inconsistent at 31.6% from the field. Isaac Humphries provided solid interior presence with 15 points and six rebounds, shooting an efficient 60% from the field. Zylan Cheatham dominated the boards with 13 rebounds and added eight points, while Dejan Vasiljevic chipped in 13 points off the bench, connecting on three triples.

For Sydney, Kendric Davis led all scorers with 26 points and six assists, but struggled from beyond the arc, managing just one-of-nine from three-point range. Matthew Dellavedova contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, shooting 37.5% from deep. Xavier Cooks was efficient inside with 11 points on five-of-eight shooting and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Makuach Maluach provided energy off the bench with 10 points.

Adelaide's superior three-point shooting was the difference, connecting on 46.2% of their attempts (12-of-26) compared to Sydney's poor 25% (seven-of-28). The 36ers also dominated from the charity stripe, converting 88.2% of their free throws compared to the Kings' lacklustre 53.3%. Despite Sydney's slight rebounding advantage (43-38), Adelaide's offensive efficiency in the final quarter sealed the victory.

The win showcased Adelaide's resilience and ability to execute under pressure, while Sydney will rue their poor three-point shooting and inability to close out what appeared to be a comfortable lead. Both teams struggled to control the ball effectively, each recording 11 turnovers in a fast-paced encounter.