Shorthanded Kings cruise behind Noi, Davis

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Kings Kouat Noi and Kendric Davis were simply too much for the reeling Brisbane Bullets combining for 47 as shorthanded Sydney rolled the bottom NBL26 side 95-80 on the first night of HoopsFest at RAC Arena.

Noi finished with 24 and Davis 23 as the Kings moved to 16-9 while the Bullets sunk further to 6-20.

Noi added 10 boards while Davis also had a double double with 10 assists.

The Kings are set to get better down the stretch of NBL26 after signing former NBA veteran Torrey Craig to replace injured defensive guard Bul Kuol.

Sydney was also without former MVP Xavier Cooks (ankle) and captain Matthew Dellavedova.

Key Details

• Result: Sydney Kings 95 def. Brisbane Bullets 80
• When: Thursday, 15th January 2026
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Attendance: 8,981
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Kouat Noi (Sydney Kings) starred with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and one assist in 28 minutes.
• Hunter Maldonado (Brisbane Bullets) scored 20 points, and had one rebound, five assists in 34 minutes.

What Happened

The Kings established early control, opening with a dominant first quarter to lead 29-23. Their offensive efficiency was evident from the opening tip, with Kendric Davis orchestrating the attack while Kouat Noi provided the scoring punch. Sydney maintained their momentum through the second period, extending their advantage to 52-41 at halftime behind Tyler Robertson's outstanding three-point shooting.

Davis continued his masterful display in the third quarter, combining with Noi to keep Brisbane at arm's length. The Kings' balanced offensive attack saw them outscore the Bullets 23-17 in the period, taking a commanding 75-58 lead into the final quarter. Brisbane's struggles from beyond the arc became increasingly apparent, connecting on just 31.6% of their three-point attempts.

Sydney's superior ball movement was the difference throughout the contest. Davis recorded a stellar 23 points and 10 assists, showcasing his exceptional court vision and leadership. His 71.4% shooting from the field, including 10-from-14 overall, demonstrated remarkable efficiency. Robertson complemented Davis perfectly, draining four triples on seven attempts while contributing eight boards and 60% field goal shooting.

The Kings' defensive intensity limited Brisbane's offensive flow, particularly affecting Alex Ducas who managed just 40% from the field despite his 14-point effort. Hunter Maldonado provided the Bullets' most consistent offensive threat with 20 points on efficient 58.3% shooting, but lacked sufficient support. Terry Taylor's 12 points and 10 rebounds gave Brisbane a strong presence in the paint, yet it wasn't enough to counter Sydney's balanced attack.

Sydney's shooting superiority proved decisive in the final analysis. The Kings connected on 53.7% from the field compared to Brisbane's 42.3%, while their three-point accuracy of 44.4% far exceeded the Bullets' disappointing 31.6%. With 25 assists to Brisbane's 15, Sydney's unselfish play and ball movement created numerous high-percentage scoring opportunities, ultimately securing a comprehensive victory that strengthens their position in the NBL standings.