Cotton calm amid chaos after Game 2 drama

As if the battle between the NBL’s two best players hadn’t already reached boiling point during the regular season and race for the MVP, Game 2 took it to another level entirely.

Tensions between Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis had been simmering throughout the fourth quarter, but the real flashpoint came after the final buzzer.

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Cotton’s stunning game-winner and ensuing celebration saw Davis seeing red, with the Kings star making his frustration clear in a heated clash.

The confrontation has only added fuel to the fire ahead of a massive Game 3 in Sydney on Sunday, with the Championship Series now locked at 1-1.

Despite the drama, Cotton was quick to downplay the incident post-game.

“I’ve never had a rivalry in this League. It’s just playoff basketball,” he said.

“Tempers flare. It’s part of playoff basketball and it is what it is.

“I grew up playing at the parks where things get feisty like that. It’s just basketball.

“That’s just another day back in America. You guys might make a big deal out of it, but it’s another day.”

Davis had already made his feelings clear after falling short in the MVP race, declaring he was eager to “just win something they can’t vote on” as Sydney chase the title.

Now, with the Championship Series locked at 1-1, the individual battle has mirrored the team results, Davis starring in Game 1 before Cotton answered in Game 2, setting up a blockbuster best-of-five battle.