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'Under-rated' Phoenix star Sobey torches Kings for 33
Phoenix players huddle around Nathan Sobey of the Phoenix during a TV interview after winning the round six NBL match between South East Melbourne Phoenix and Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena on October 23, 2025 in Melbourne. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Highlights
Nathan Sobey dropped 33 points as South East Melbourne crushed Sydney 112–95 at John Cain Arena.
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Nathan Sobey exploded for 33 points as South East Melbourne Phoenix defeated Sydney Kings 112-95 at John Cain Arena in front of 3,786 people.
Sobey went 12-from-20 in 30:41 minutes that included 6-from-11 from deep. He added five boards and five assists to dominant the Kings.
Phoenix moved to 4-2 while the rollercoaster that is the Sydney Kings dropped to 3-4.
"We had multiple guys play well and perform, especially on that side of the ball," Phoenix head coach Josh King said.
"Obviously Sobes had it going — he was cooking.
"I’ve said it before publicly: he’s one of the most underrated guards in the league, and he just keeps proving that he’s getting better with age each night.
"But we had several guys step up offensively — Jordy Hunter was brilliant in the second half, Foxy was good throughout (even with foul trouble), Hunter Maldonado had a really good floor game when Foxy sat, hit some big shots, and Wes came in and banged a couple too.
"We don’t want to just hang our hat on offense; we want to play on both sides of the floor. And for the most part tonight, we were able to do that."
Sobey responded to King's compliment and talked about his game-winning performance.
"It’s great to hear it from Josh," Sobey said.
"The outside noise doesn’t mean anything to me, so whatever’s said inside our four walls — and the belief they show in me — that’s all that matters.
"They preach that every day, and I really appreciate it."
Key Details
- Result: South East Melbourne Phoenix 112 def. Sydney Kings 95
- When: 23rd October 2025
- Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- Standings
By the Numbers
- Nathan Sobey (South East Melbourne Phoenix) starred with 33 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 30 minutes.
- Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) scored 31 points, had five rebounds, and six assists in 30 minutes.
What Happened
South East Melbourne Phoenix established an early lead, taking the first quarter 22-20 before Sydney fought back to claim a 48-45 halftime advantage. The Phoenix dominated after the break, outscoring the Kings 34-25 in a decisive third quarter before pulling away with a 33-22 final period.
The game featured 34 lead changes, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the contest. The turning point came midway through the third quarter when the Phoenix went on an eight-point scoring run to take control. South East Melbourne's biggest lead stretched to 17 points as they pulled away late.
Nathan Sobey was outstanding for the Phoenix, shooting 12-from-20 from the field including a stellar 6-from-11 from three-point range. His efficiency proved crucial in the home team's offensive explosion. Owen Foxwell added 17 points and eight assists, while Hunter Maldonado contributed 17 points off the bench.
The Phoenix's outside shooting was the difference, connecting on 16-of-33 from beyond the arc (48.5%) compared to Sydney's dismal 4-of-16 (25%). South East Melbourne also dominated the assist column 26-14, showcasing their superior ball movement and team play.
Defensively, Malique Lewis made a significant impact for the Phoenix with three steals and three blocks, helping contain Sydney's offense. Despite Tim Soares' efficient 24-point performance for the Kings, the visitors couldn't match South East Melbourne's firepower, particularly in the second half when the Phoenix poured in 67 points.
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