NBL Trophy Shatters as Sydney Kings Revel in Dramatic Overtime Victory

The Sydney Kings are reveling in their championship triumph over the Adelaide 36ers.

So much so, in fact, that the NBL trophy didn’t quite survive the celebrations.

On Sunday, as purple and gold confetti rained down, Sydney’s captain Xavier Cooks led the festivities by shaking the trophy back and forth, marking the Kings’ thrilling 113-101 victory in overtime.

He triumphantly raised the trophy overhead, and with a few vigorous shakes, the NBL’s prestigious cup fell to pieces.

The figurines that adorned the trophy hit the ground with a noticeable thud, much to the amusement of Cooks and his fellow players.

Guided by the esteemed coach Brian Goorjian, the Kings clinched game five of the 2026 championship series, marking their third NBL title in five seasons.

Star Kings guard Kendric Davis delivered a stunning performance with 35 points and 14 assists, attracting a record crowd of 18,589.

His efforts earned him the MVP honour for the championship series.

On the other side, Adelaide guard Bryce Cotton matched Davis with 35 points in an exciting duel.

Adelaide held a seven-point advantage at three-quarter time and a six-point lead with just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but Davis and Tim Soares each scored to level the game at 95 by the end of regulation.

In overtime, Davis was the difference-maker, netting two two-pointers and a three-pointer to seal the deal.

Makuach Maluach was also sensational during the extra period, blocking a shot before Jaylin Galloway scored. Maluach then stole the ball, raced away, and delivered a spectacular slam-dunk.