
19
Oct
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Goorjian: 'Not defending myself' for getting ejected
Highlights
Sydney’s Big Three power the Kings past the Perth Wildcats 94-72 in a strong Round 5 response.
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Sydney's Big Three — Kendric Davis, captain Matthew Dellavedova and Xavier Cooks — took the Kings back to .500 with a solid home win 94-72 against the Perth Wildcats in Round 5 of NBL26 at Qudos Bank Arena.
Kings assistant coach Andrew Bogut took the clipboard after head coach Brian Goorjian was ejected late in the third quarter for back-to-back technical fouls.
Wildcats' Jo Lual-Acuil Jr fouled out and Dylan Windler left the game in the first quarter with an injury, compounded by the release last week of import Mason Jones, Perth just didn't have enough on the road, dropping to 3-3.
Davis finished with 25, Dellavedova 15 and Cooks 16 while Tim Soares chipped in with 11.
"I’ve been in this 40 years, and I honestly don’t remember ever being tossed," Goorjian said.
"Very rarely a technical. I got one last game for asking about a call. Tonight — look, I’m not going to defend myself — but you should watch it.
"I was facing the other way, I turned around, and boom — gone. I’ve done a lot more than that and not been called for a technical.
"Usually as coaches, we all know where to tread. If you’ve got one, you know not to go there. But tonight? Boom, boom, gone.
"No warning, no conversation during the whole game.
"You know, I’m animated. I’ve always been like I am at practice — up, engaged, emotional.
"It was hard to swallow, sitting with my daughter trembling after the game, watching the fourth quarter from the back.
"But I’m proud of my coaching staff, proud of the team — and especially proud of Kouat ... his 150th game, hit a big shot, defended, rebounded — that was huge for him."

Goorjian said Davis and Dellavedova were still finding their way together on the floor.
"A big one tonight was getting Delly off the ball some and playing Kendrick with him," Goorjian added.
"Having Delly and Kendrick together helped. We also got more from Bruce, more from Kouat, from JJ. That’s the way forward — we’re still sorting through it.
"Even sitting out that fourth quarter, you can see it: we’re long and athletic, not a big team, but when we’re in the lanes, disrupting, attacking the glass, moving with pace — that’s who we are. That’s our blueprint."
Noi said Goorjian's ejection galvanised the playing group.
"Honestly, it just shows he has our back — he’s going to fight for us to the end," Noi said.
"To get the win for him was huge. Couldn’t be prouder of the team. Everyone battled on the boards and defensively. We’ve just got to keep moving forward."
Key Details
- Result: Sydney Kings 94 def. Perth Wildcats 72
- When: 19th October 2025
- Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
- Standings
By the Numbers
- Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) starred with 25 points, six rebounds, one assist, and five steals in 28 minutes.
- Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Perth Wildcats) scored 17 points, and had seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 29 minutes.
What Happened
The Sydney Kings overcame a slow start to dominate the Perth Wildcats at Qudos Bank Arena. After trailing 22-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Kings surged in the second period, outscoring the Wildcats 35-23 to take a 50-45 halftime lead. Sydney maintained their momentum in the second half, putting together a 44-27 run across the final two quarters to secure the 22-point victory.
Kendric Davis was exceptional for Sydney, scoring 25 points despite shooting just 36.36% from the field. His aggressive play earned him 12 trips to the free-throw line, where he converted eight attempts. Davis also disrupted Perth's offense with five steals, turning the Wildcats' 17 turnovers into valuable transition opportunities.
Xavier Cooks provided solid support with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Matthew Dellavedova added 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists in a complete performance. Tim Soares contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, helping the Kings control the glass with a 50-44 rebounding advantage.
For Perth, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr was efficient with 17 points on 7-from-11 shooting, while Jaron Rillie provided a spark off the bench with 16 points, including 4-from-7 from three-point range. However, the Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc as a team, connecting on just 12-from-43 attempts (27.91%).
The Kings' defensive pressure was the difference-maker, forcing 17 turnovers while committing just six of their own. Sydney also displayed superior offensive efficiency, shooting 42.11% from the field compared to Perth's 33.33%. The home team pulled away decisively in the fourth quarter, holding the Wildcats to just six points while putting the game well beyond reach.
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