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Important update on 1476AMSydney Kings crowned NBL Champions in overtime epic
Sam Kosack • April 5th, 2026 6:57 pm
The Sydney Kings have been crowned NBL Champions, winning a thrilling Game 5 decider 113-101 in overtime.
For the sixth time in franchise history, the Sydney Kings will raise the banner in “one of the greatest matches in NBL history”.
A late Sydney Kings fight back saw the game go into overtime at 95-all, after the Kings’ Tim Soares cleaned up a Kendric Davis attempted triple to nail the required two points.
It is the first time in NBL history that Game 5 has gone to overtime.
Going into Game 5, the 36ers and Sydney Kings were locked 2-apiece after one of the most enthralling and dynamic finals series in NBL history.
As has been the case for much of this finals series, the battle between MVP Bryce Cotton and MVP runner-up was the centrepiece of this contest, the two champions going moment-for-moment in this incredible final.
Cotton, the 6x NBL MVP, and Davis both tied for 35 points in the final, sharing the record for the highest individual Game 5 score in NBL history.
Davis walked off the court with an additional 14 assists on his way to NBL Finals MVP.
It was two late defensive efforts by Makuach Maluach on Bryce Cotton that ensured the 36ers wouldn’t claw back a late comeback.
It meant the Sydney Kings would walk away grand final winners after they spent only 12 minutes of the match in the lead, compared to Adelaide’s 29 minutes in the lead.
18,589 fans packed out Qudos Bank Arena, the largest crowd in NBL history, and a deserving crowd for the conclusion to arguably the greatest finals series in NBL history.
