Clutch Kendric pours in 27 to lead Kings into Grand Final

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The Sydney Kings dominated the second half to defeat the Perth Wildcats 89–75 at RAC Arena on Saturday night, advancing to the NBL Championship Series.

Sydney trailed by three at half-time but overwhelmed Perth 46–29 after the break to close the series 2–0 and stretch their winning streak to 13 games.

Kings take control after tight first half

The Kings made an ideal start, scoring the first four points through captain Matthew Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks to briefly silence the home crowd. Perth quickly responded through Ben Henshall and Elijah Pepper, who combined for 12 first-quarter points as the Wildcats edged ahead 23–22 at the first change.

Kendric Davis ignited Sydney’s early offence with five quick points, while Jaylin Galloway and Torrey Craig both connected from deep to give the visitors a nine-point buffer. But Perth’s backcourt pressure and shot-making ensured the contest remained tight, with Pepper’s late triple handing the Wildcats the slender quarter-time lead.

The Wildcats built momentum early in the second term when Pepper hit another three and veteran Jesse Wagstaff chimed in from beyond the arc to push the margin to seven. Sydney’s response came from rising big man Makuach Maluach, who delivered 10 rapid points in the paint and in transition to swing the momentum back.

Despite Maluach’s surge, Perth carried a 46–43 advantage into the main break after Henshall drilled consecutive late triples to reach 17 first-half points.

Defensive clamp sparks Sydney surge

Perth struck first after the interval when Kristian Doolittle opened the third quarter with a three-pointer. Davis answered immediately with a long-range make of his own, setting the tone for a grinding period dominated by defence.

Sydney restricted the Wildcats to just 13 points in the third quarter, turning stops into transition opportunities as Tim Soares and Maluach continued to influence the interior. The Kings edged ahead by a single point heading into the final term, setting the stage for a decisive finish.

Even after shooting just six-from-19 through three quarters, Davis found his rhythm when it mattered most. The dynamic guard spearheaded an 8–0 run early in the fourth, combining with Galloway and Maluach before knocking down a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead to double digits.

From there, Sydney controlled the tempo and closed emphatically, scoring the game’s final eight points to seal a 14-point victory and punch their ticket to the Championship Series.

Maluach’s career night headlines balanced attack

Davis finished with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists, overcoming a slow start to deliver another clutch playoff performance. Maluach produced the standout display of his burgeoning NBL career with 23 points on eight-from-12 shooting, adding eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Craig contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, while Dellavedova’s impact went beyond his 11 points and five assists. The veteran guard set the defensive tone, playing a major role in limiting Doolittle to 15 points on three-from-15 shooting.

Cooks also provided a steady two-way presence with eight points, four rebounds and a game-high +22 plus-minus.

Wildcats season ends despite Henshall effort

Perth’s campaign concluded despite a strong showing from Henshall, who finished with 20 points and six rebounds but managed just three points in the second half while battling a calf complaint.

Pepper added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jo Lual-Acuil Jr controlled the glass with 14 rebounds to go with nine points. The Wildcats shot 33.8 per cent from the field and were unable to match Sydney’s late-game execution.

By the Numbers

• ‍Sydney Kings – FG 42.5% │ 3PT 32.4% │ FT 88.9% │ Rebounds 44 │ Assists 14 │ Turnovers 8‍
• Perth Wildcats – FG 33.8% │ 3PT 31.0% │ FT 75.0% │ Rebounds 51 │ Assists 15 │ Turnovers 15

Sydney now awaits the winner of the decisive Game 3 between the Adelaide 36ers and South East Melbourne Phoenix as they prepare for their shot at another NBL title.