Kings stay hot with big win over Hawks

The Sydney Kings have moved into second spot in the NBL standings as they maintained their scintillating form with the 122-104 victory at Qudos Bank Arena on Thursday night against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Kings made it a fourth straight victory with the 18-point win over their NSW rivals having led by as much as 29 along the way as they improve to a 19-9 record and replace the South East Melbourne Phoenix in second place.

It was a scorching performance from the Kings as they put up the 122 points on the back of 58 per cent field goal shooting along with making 15/28 from three-point range to go with 30 assists and just the 13 turnovers.

Sydney finished with seven players scoring in double-figures with Kendric Davis again outstanding with 22 points with nine assists on 5/8 shooting with 10/10 from the foul line.

Tim Soares top-scored with 23 points with six rebounds on shooting 5/6 from downtown with Makuach Maluach again outstanding not only defensively but also with 21 points and with 3/4 makes from behind the arc.

NBA veteran Torrey Craig is finding his feet too with another 14 points, five rebounds, five assists and two blocks with Xavier Cooks adding 15 points and six rebounds, and Kouat Noi 12 points.

It's a blow for the Hawks' prospects of breaking into sixth position as well with six games remaining as they now hold a 10-17 record to remain behind the Tasmania JackJumpers (12-16).

While the Hawks shot 50 per cent overall they did only go 8/28 from deep despite Tyler Harvey making 4/9 of those on his returning to the starting five with 25 points.

Dan Grida had another 17 points and three rebounds, JaVale McGee 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, Davo Hickey 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, and QJ Peterson 11 points.

The Hawks could not stop the second-placed Kings but the real question might be whether anyone can, especially if they seal a top-two finish.

That would allow Sydney to bypass the sudden-death play-in tournament and host two games in the best-of-three Playoffs for qualification for the Championship Series.

NBA champion Matthew Dellavedova (four points) returned from a worrying 18-day concussion lay-off but was barely required, such was the depth of Sydney's arsenal.

Journeyman Kings centre Soares out-duelled his rival three-time NBA champion McGee and it was that kind of night for the hosts.

MVP conder Davis had another busy night, notably dishing a no-look pass for Cooks to slam down a dunk early on.

The Hawks have now lost all three meetings with their local rivals this season by an average margin of 23 points.

The Hawks now return home to host the Perth Wildcats on Saturday night while the Kings are on the road to take on the Taipans in Cairns on Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – PRIDE ROUND

SYDNEY KINGS 122 (Soares 23, Davis 22, Maluach 21)

ILLAWARRA 104 (Harvey 25, Grida 17, McGee 17)

BOX SCORE