BREAKING: Defensive King out for season

The Sydney Kings' worst fears have been confirmed with the club announcing on Tuesday that defensive dynamo Bul Kuol will miss the remainder of the season through injury.

The club revealed that scans confirmed an ACL injury in Kuol's knee, sustained during the club's Round 15 loss to Adelaide.

"As a defensive powerhouse, Bul’s impact on this season has been immense and we stand behind him," a club statement said.

Through his 20 appearances this season, Kuol had not only re-established himself as one of the competition's top defenders but was also averaging career-high numbers in field goal percentage (51.7), three-point percentage (44), free-throw percentage (84.6), rebounds (4.2) and steals (1).

Following Monday's loss to South East Melbourne, in which coach Brian Goorjian labelled Kuol's injury a "difficult situation", ESPN's Olgun Uluc said the Kings had some flexibility in replacing the South Sudanese international.

"The Kings have some roster flexibility, with a third import spot that’s currently unused," Uluc said via X.

"There have yet to be discussions on whether they’ll pursue an injury replacement for Kuol but, if they do, that player would have to be suited up for the January 25 game vs Adelaide in order to meet the seven-game criteria to be eligible for the postseason."

Sydney, who sit in fourth with a 13-9 record, travel to New Zealand on Friday to face the Breakers from 5.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.