Adelaide 36ers stunned the Sydney Kings 95-88 at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night, marking their first playoff win since 2016. The victory came on the back of a remarkable shooting performance by captain DJ Vasiljevic, whose clutch three-pointers ignited the team's resurgence.
Facing elimination, Adelaide responded valiantly, coming from behind to secure the win. Led by Vasiljevic and superstar Kendric Davis, who tallied 24 points, the 36ers displayed resilience and determination as they secured their place against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
It was the Kings who initially gained momentum, overcoming an early deficit and retaking the lead late in the game. Despite the Kings' efforts, including Jaylen Adams' noteworthy 30 points, the 36ers executed well under pressure, especially during pivotal moments.
The intensity of the matchup was palpable, with both teams trading leads throughout the night. Each quarter bore witness to thrilling basketball, highlighted by precision shooting from Vasiljevic and timely plays from Harrell, who contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
“It’s this organisation’s first playoff win in a long time, and I don’t think anybody expected it to be easy,” said coach Mike Wells, reflecting on the hard-fought victory. “Our path has been difficult, and the way we played down the stretch is exactly what we needed.”
The game's narrative shifted dramatically when the 36ers rallied from behind late, showcasing their experience and skill. With the score tied and pressure mounting, Vasiljevic sank consecutive three-pointers, propelling Adelaide to regain momentum.
Although Sydney's home support echoed throughout Qudos Bank Arena, it was the 36ers’ exceptional shooting, with 50% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc, which paved the way for the victory. Adelaide’s hot shooting left the Kings scrambling defensively, particularly as Vasiljevic’s three-point barrage kept the scoreboard ticking.
Despite being favored to advance following strong performances throughout the regular season, the Kings were caught off-guard. “This is a really hard one to swallow,” expressed Kings coach Brian Goorjian, addressing the disappointment of their season ending prematurely. “All these games at home, we’ve got support behind us, and we just needed to hit some base hits.”
The emotional weight of this clash was compounded for Adelaide’s Jason Cadee, who announced his impending retirement. The victory guarantees him at least one more game to conclude his illustrious 15-year career.
With both teams struggling through the regular season at times, the play-in game proved their mettle. The Kings, who struggled without key player Xavier Cooks, now face the offseason reflecting on what went wrong during their playoff run.
Looking forward, the 36ers now position themselves not just for another game, but with the prospect of challenging top-seed Illawarra. The comeback against the Kings set the tone for Adelaide, who hope to build on the momentum gained from the victory.
This successful outing marks the 36ers’ fourth consecutive win over the Kings, reinforcing their dominance when it counts most.