"Exciting piece" nears return for Kings

Matthew Dellavedova has resumed contact training in the clearest sign yet the Sydney Kings star is approaching a comeback from his latest concussion.

The NBA champion will still be a game-day decision for the clash with NBL rivals Illawarra this Thursday, when the Kings continue their push for a top-two finish.

But Dellavedova returned to sit on the Kings' bench in their last-start win against Adelaide and is doing "everything and beyond" to play his first game since January 11, says teammate Xavier Cooks.

The pair spent time together in injury rehabilitation before gun forward Cooks overcame an ankle issue and returned for last week's defeat of the 36ers.

"He's going to be another exciting piece to have out there," Cooks told AAP.

"We've been doing some great things on the court but 'Delly', he definitely helps us out a bunch."

Dellavedova has managed to stay positive during his latest concussion lay-off, which has spanned three matches and 17 days so far.

Known for his physical toughness, the 35-year-old guard memorably also missed a stint early in the 2023/24 season while playing for Melbourne United because of concussion.

Dellavedova endured head knocks during his NBA career too, sitting out 47 games with concussion symptoms and a neck injury in Cleveland's 2020/21 campaign.

NBL players are permitted to return to play from concussion after six days, but only if completely symptom-free.

Cooks has been impressed by Dellavedova's attitude during his latest wait.

"He's just such a cool, calm and collected kind of guy," he said.

"He's just excited to get back out there. I think it's a pretty frustrating thing when you are taken away from the game. You do everything you can to try and get back on the court.

"He's done everything and beyond."

Even without Dellavedova, the third-placed Kings are on a five-game winning streak as they aim for a top-two finish and direct qualification for the play-offs.

Finish third or lower and the Sydneysiders will be consigned to the sudden-death play-in tournament, during which their 2023/24 season ended.

The fixture is likely to play into the Kings' hands.

Four of Sydney's remaining six regular-season games are against teams that begin this weekend outside the top six.

"It's a huge advantage to try and avoid that play-in tournament," Cooks said.

"We still need to get better at rebounding the ball, transition defence, on-ball defence, guarding on balls. I think it's just continuing to figure each other out."