Jaylin Galloway: 'We know what X is capable of'

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Versatile Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks was a NBL MVP jump cut against the Brisbane Bullets bludgeoning the home side with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double in just 25 minutes in a 116-79 hammering at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Round 7 of NBL26.

Cooks, 30, who won the 2023 NBL MVP and championship with the Kings on the back of career numbers: 16.2 points per game; 7.8 rebounds; and 4.2 assists, reminded everyone he's still here in the 37-point win.

"All the guys know what X is capable of," teammate Jaylin Galloway said.

"Even when he’s not scoring, that doesn’t mean he’s not playing good. He can do so many other things on the court. So yeah, X — we all know what he can do and we’re not worried about him."

The Kings (4-5) were coming off a coach-killing one-point 90-89 loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers, including a dead ball turnover by Cooks that led the winning bucket.

Sydney Kings head coach Brian Goorjian said after that loss "I love our group."

A week later, Goorjian said: "Well, you know, it was real interesting how the flip is that — the question I was asked before, not by you, but before — I said I love my team all the way through this.

"We’re going through a process, and we had a couple of hits before the season started. I got a new group of guys from last year, and we’re going through it.

"And I’ve said that I love my team and I love how they’ve gone about their business. Then the next question was, 'Well, what do you see that we don't?' What you saw tonight was the same thing in Tasmania, it’s been the same thing in Adelaide, it’s been the same thing (against) Phoenix.

"And tonight, the exuberance at the finish was the fact that we got the win, because through this process there’s been a lot of disappointment.

"But through that disappointment, there’s been growth in connection, a trust — a build on a trust for each other — when it’s been dark and when it’s been ugly. The day-to-day has been great.

"And again, I’ll say it again — the guy next to me, the guys in the group — and everyone has something to say outside: 'This isn’t happening for him, this isn’t happening for that one, what are you doing with this one'. And it has no effect. Guys have stayed like this.

"It’s the build of a second year. We kept the ones we wanted, we’ve added some guys that we’re really excited about, and this is a process that isn’t gonna happen overnight. So I’m glad you saw it — because it’s real. And no matter what happens over the next whatever, we’ve got that sort of group to build on."

On the flipside (3-7) Brisbane Bullets head coach Stu Lash lamented effort.

"Tough game," Lash admitted.

"We certainly wanted to come out with a better effort, and the start of the game is continuing to be a trend for us that we need to figure out — and figure out quickly.If you want to compete with teams that are vying to be in the top four in this league, we have to be better."

First-year head coach Lash was asked "do you have any idea what’s behind the slow starts?"

"No," he responded.

The Bullets dragged the game back within six in the third quarter, forcing the Kings into a timeout. He was asked: "They called a timeout and then things sort of got away from you after that. Any idea what happened from there?"

"No," Lash responded.

"You can’t turn the ball over against this type of team. They’re really good in transition, they get downhill quick, they put heat on the rim. There was some physicality there. I mean, we’re a home team with two former MVPs — we got eight free throws to their 26. Like, you know, we’re not a club that’s gonna complain, but on our home floor we deserve a bit more there."

He was then asked about the free throw disparity and "Did you deserve to get some more calls?"

"Of course we do," Lash responded.

Key Details

• Result: Sydney Kings 116 def. Brisbane Bullets 79
• When: 1st November 2025
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Xavier Cooks (Sydney Kings) starred with 24 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block in 24 minutes.
• Casey Prather (Brisbane Bullets) scored 24 points, and had six rebounds, one assist and two steals in 29 minutes.

What Happened

Sydney Kings established their dominance from the opening tip, racing to a commanding 35-17 first-quarter lead. Though Brisbane showed signs of life in the second period, outscoring Sydney 28-22, the visitors regained control after halftime with a dominant 32-21 third quarter. The Kings continued their onslaught in the final period, winning the quarter 27-13 to complete the 37-point victory.

The Kings' superiority was evident early when they mounted a 12-point scoring run in the first quarter, establishing a double-digit lead they would never relinquish. Sydney maintained control throughout, never trailing and systematically extending their advantage throughout the contest.

Xavier Cooks led the Kings with an outstanding performance, recording 24 points on efficient 10-from-15 shooting (66.7%) while grabbing 10 rebounds. Tim Soares added 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Kendric Davis contributed 19 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Jaylin Galloway provided valuable bench production with 16 points, four rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in just 19 minutes.

For Brisbane, Casey Prather matched Cooks' 24 points on equally efficient 10-from-15 shooting, but received minimal support from his teammates. Tyrell Harrison (13 points, seven rebounds) and Dakota Mathias (16 points, four rebounds) were the only other Bullets to reach double figures.

The statistical disparity told the story of Sydney's comprehensive victory. The Kings shot an impressive 53.2% from the field (42-from-79) and 41.4% from three-point range (12-from-29), while holding Brisbane to 33.3% from beyond the arc (8-from-24). Sydney dominated every facet of the game, recording advantages in rebounds (44-33), assists (30-16), steals (10-3), and blocks (7-3). Most tellingly, the Kings committed just four turnovers compared to Brisbane's 13, demonstrating their superior ball control and execution.