'En fuego': Davis goes 13-for-15, has 31 in 27 minutes

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Is the MVP race really over? Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells declared it was, and "it's not even close", Bryce Cotton will win it for the sixth time.

But Kendric Davis. Sydney Kings guard Kendric Davis, 26, made his first seven shots— while Brisbane was still competitive — and finished with 31 points on 15-for-17 shooting and eight assists in 27 minutes in the 117-77 minor premiership deciding road win on February 20, 2026.6.

The Kings won their 11th straight and finished top of the ladder. The Bullets will be relieved it’s over, emphatically claiming the wooden spoon at 6-23.

Kings' head coach Brian Goorjian has already weighed in on the MVP debate after Well’s declaration, but slightly changed tack after Davis' near-perfect performance against the Bullets.

“I’m going to go here — it’s not about the MVP,” Goorjian said.

“It’s about Kendrick. I’ve been in this a long time — China, Philippines, Japan, national teams with Japan, national teams with China, Australia — since 1986. I haven’t had a better one.

“Finishing first and talking about the grind — he had a rough year last year. There was a lot swirling around him. We were both kind of in the same bucket. Getting barbecued by everybody.

“How he’s been through all that — loyal, hardworking, team. Tonight, he could have tried to get 40. He’s looking at me like, ‘Get me out of here, get these guys in’. He’s not about his points. He’s about winning.

“His level of play on both sides of the ball — scoring the ball — he’s a tremendous basketball player and tremendous person. A lot of our success is to do with him.”

Goorjian now has about three weeks to prepare for a best-of-three NBL26 Semi-Finals Series.

“It’s horrendous,” he declared.

“It’s horrible. We’ve won 11 games in a row. Everybody’s fit. You get momentum. You look at the NBA, any league, now to stop for three weeks.

“It falls on me and the coaching staff on how you handle this.

“We’re not going to be involved in any kind of game at all. You come out at home on a team that’s probably won two in a row, and you’ve been sitting — it’s a challenge.

“It’s something I really haven’t dealt with before. Learning from the seat of my pants.

“Getting as much advice as I can. Taking the high ground. We’re in there. We’ve got a shot at it.

“What you’re asking — I don’t have the answer to. But I’ll be listening to my players and to people mentoring me through the season.”

Key Details

• Round: 22
• Result: Sydney Kings 117 def. Brisbane Bullets 77
• When: Friday, 20th February 2026
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) starred with 31 points, eight assists, and one rebound in 27 minutes.
• Hunter Maldonado (Brisbane Bullets) scored 16 points, and had four rebounds, six assists in 28 minutes.

What Happened

The Bullets started with intent, delivering their equal-best first quarter of the season with 33 points on scorching 72% shooting to lead 33-26. Brisbane's aggressive approach caught the Kings off guard early, with Tyrell Harrison sparking a crucial 10-0 run that featured triples from Tohi Smith-Milner and Alex Ducas to open up a nine-point advantage. Despite the deficit, Davis kept Sydney within striking distance with a perfect 12 points on flawless shooting.

The Kings transformed the contest in the second quarter with a devastating 17-4 run to start the period. Davis continued his exceptional display, adding another 15 points to reach 27 for the half on outstanding 11-from-13 shooting. The momentum completely shifted as Sydney outscored Brisbane 32-17 in the quarter to lead 58-50 at the break, setting the stage for their championship-clinching performance.

Sydney asserted complete dominance after half-time, opening the third quarter with another 17-4 burst that extended their lead to 21 points. The Kings' balanced attack proved unstoppable as they outscored the Bullets 59-27 across the final two quarters. Davis sat out the final 13 minutes with the game well beyond doubt, finishing with an efficient 31 points and eight assists on remarkable 13-from-15 shooting that included a perfect 4-from-4 from the charity stripe.

The Kings' offensive efficiency was the decisive factor, shooting 57% from the field compared to Brisbane's 41%. Sydney's depth shone through with Makuach Maluach contributing 15 points, Torrey Craig adding 14 points and seven boards, while both Matthew Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks chipped in with 13 points each. The Kings also dominated the paint with superior ball movement, recording 28 assists compared to Brisbane's 24, while limiting turnovers to just four for the entire contest.

With this comprehensive victory, the Sydney Kings secured the NBL regular season championship at 24-9, guaranteeing home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The win caps off a remarkable 10-game winning streak and positions them perfectly for their championship push following the FIBA international window. Brisbane's season concluded with 13 consecutive losses, finishing at 6-27 despite Hunter Maldonado's solid 16-point, six-assist effort and Taine Murray's 13-point contribution.