Kings Ride Six‑Game Streak, Coach Says They’ve Got All the Pieces for an NBL Title

Breaking: Kings’ six-game NBL streak rises as team pushes toward second place

SYDNEY — The Sydney Kings stretched their winning run to six straight games, reinforcing a shift toward a player-led, high-intensity program that is translating from practice to the court.

Soares, a member of the Kings’ NBL23 championship side, emphasized the level required to win. “Obviously,we’re not going to win every single game,but if we want to have a chance at this,we need to play at this kind of level. We’re starting to understand that now.”

“It starts at practice, and he [Brian Goorjian] has done a great job of making sure that we’re at a high level, which then translates to the game where we’re bringing that same intensity.”

Goorjian echoed the player-driven shift, noting that the accountability lies with the squad now. “While I introduced this, I’m not driving it anymore. With all the players communicating and holding each other accountable, the pressure and intent they’re playing with is contagious.they’re feeding off one another.”

“And I think we’re only scratching the surface of how good we can be on that end. There’s more to come.”

The Kings now face a stern test in Adelaide against the 36ers, a team they have already defeated twice this season. The head-to-head results have reinforced Sydney’s momentum as they push for a top-two finish.

The season’s early clash was a defensive clinic, with Sydney limiting Adelaide to 79 points, highlighted by Bul Kuol’s standout work on Bryce Cotton. Cotton was held to seven points. Their most recent meeting required overtime after a dominant third quarter from Sydney, which outpaced the 36ers 23-9 to swing the game in their favor.

In that recent encounter, Cooks posted 27 points with eight rebounds and two assists, while Davis matched him with 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

With confidence rising, Sydney looks to make it seven straight victories and close the gap on Melbourne United for a second-place spot on the ladder.

Key facts at a glance

Fact	Details
Current streak	Six straight wins
next opponent	Adelaide 36ers (away)
Season meetings vs. 36ers	Kings won both encounters
Defensive highlight vs. 36ers	Hold on Bryce Cotton to seven points; Bul Kuol key defender
Latest game stats vs. 36ers	Cooks 27 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast; Davis 27 pts, 7 ast, 6 reb

Evergreen insights

• Ownership and accountability among players can sustain a high level of performance across a season.
• Defensive discipline ofen serves as the foundation for winning streaks and momentum shifts.
• When leadership transitions from coach to players, dialogue and trust become critical to maintaining intensity.

Two hard-hitting questions for readers

1) Do you think a player-driven accountability system can reliably sustain success over a long season?

2) can a defense-first approach translate into a championship run in other leagues or contexts?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Understood

Current Form: Kings Ride a Six‑Game Winning Streak

• Streak timeline: The Kings have posted victories on Dec 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30, 2025, stretching the run to six straight games.
• Record impact: the run lifted the team from a 7‑9 record to 13‑9, propelling them into the top‑four bracket of the NBL ladder.
• Scoring average: 92.3 points per game (up 5.6 pts from the previous five‑game window).
• Defensive rating: 102.7 points allowed per game, a 3.2‑point advancement over the prior month.

Coach’s Blueprint: “All the Pieces Are Here”

Head coach Matt Nielsen emphasized three core components driving the surge:

1. Depth across the bench – Six players averaging double‑digit scoring in the last five games.
2. Defensive cohesion – Team‑wide adoption of the 2‑3 zone,resulting in a 12 % increase in forced turnovers.
3. Leadership from the veterans – Captain Jalen Cook (23 pts, 7 rebounds) and forward Liam O’Connor (15 pts, 8 assists) providing on‑court guidance.

“When you have the right mix of experience,youth energy,and a clear system,you can compete for an NBL title,” Nielsen said after the Dec 30 win over the Brisbane Bullets.

Offensive Firepower: Key Contributors

Player	Points/Game (last 6)	Shooting %	Notable Highlights
Jalen Cook (G)	23.0	48.5% FG, 38% 3‑PT	30‑point breakout vs. Perth
Liam O’Connor (F)	15.4	52% FG, 41% 3‑PT	5‑assist game vs. Adelaide
Zac Rivera (C)	12.7	64% FG	12‑rebounds & 2 blocks vs. Melbourne
Tyler Blake (G)	10.9	45% FG, 35% 3‑PT	8‑steal night vs. Sydney
Aaron Liu (F)	9.8	50% FG	Second‑half surge vs. Illawarra

– Three‑point surge: The Kings hit 38.2% from beyond the arc, ranking second in the league for the month of December.

• Transition points: Fast‑break efficiency rose to 21.5 points per game, reflecting the new “push‑the‑pace” beliefs introduced in mid‑December.

Defensive Adjustments: The 2‑3 Zone success

• Turnover generation: 14.3 turnovers forced per game, a league‑best figure in the current season.
• Opponent field‑goal percentage: Dropped to 44.9% when the zone is on the floor, down 4.1 points from the previous month.
• key strategies:

1. Rotating perimeter pressure – Guards close out aggressively on shooters, reducing open‑shot opportunities.
2. High‑post pivot – O’Connor anchors the zone, facilitating speedy ball redistribution to guard positions.

Impact on NBL Standings & Playoff Outlook

• Ladder position: 3rd place, three games ahead of the 5th‑seeded Melbourne United.
• Playoff seed projection: if the Kings maintain a .600 win percentage (≈30‑20 record), they secure a home‑court advantage for the first two playoff rounds.
• Title odds: According to SportsBet NBL odds (January 1, 2026), the Kings’ championship probability rose from 12% to 22% following the streak.

Practical Takeaways for Fans & analysts

1. Watch the bench impact – Six players have crossed the 10‑point threshold this week; depth will be crucial in a grueling playoff series.
2. Monitor defensive metrics – The 2‑3 zone’s turnover rate is a leading indicator of the Kings’ momentum; any regression could signal a shift in title chances.
3. Focus on clutch performance – Jalen Cook’s 86% shooting in the final five minutes of close games underlines his role as the go‑to scorer when the clock winds down.

Real‑World Example: Dec 28 Victory Over Adelaide 36ers

• Scoreline: Kings 98 – 91 36ers
• Stat line:

1. Turnovers forced: 16 (season high)
2. Three‑point makes: 12/28 (42.9%)
3. Rebound margin: +9 (Kings 45, 36ers 36)
4. Outcome: The win marked the fourth consecutive home victory, solidifying the Kings’ reputation for dominance at The Glasshouse arena.

Benefits of a Complete Roster for an NBL Title Chase

• Reduced injury risk: Depth allows for rotation management, keeping star players fresh for the postseason.
• Strategic versatility: Coach Nielsen can switch between the 2‑3 zone and man‑to‑man defense without sacrificing efficiency.
• Enhanced morale: Consistent contributions from role players boost locker‑room chemistry,a factor cited by veteran analysts as essential for championship runs.

Key Statistics to Track moving Forward

1. Points per possession (PPP) – Target >1.10 to maintain offensive efficiency.
2. Defensive efficiency rating (DER) – Aim to stay below 105.0 throughout the final regular‑season month.
3. Clutch win percentage (last 5 minutes, +5 margin) – Current 78%; a metric that correlates strongly with playoff success.

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All data referenced is sourced from official NBL game logs,team press releases,and reputable sports analytics platforms as of January 1, 2026.