Kings throttle 'Cats despite Goorj ejection

Two rapid-fire technical foul whistles saw Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian ejected in the third quarter, but his team remained in control in his absence for an impressive bounce back 94-72 home win over the Perth Wildcats.

Goorjian was given his marching orders on Sunday after a third-quarter argument with a referee at Qudos Bank Arena, who told the six-time championship coach during a heated exchange: "You need to control your emotions here."

He had received a first technical foul for jumping up and down in response to a call before the officials alleged Goorjian then used an expletive, which led to the second.

The Kings led 69-61 at the time, with 1:22 left in the third period with Andrew Bogut and Billy Tomlinson then split the head coaching role the rest of the way.

Tension again boiled over moments later when Kings star Matthew Dellavedova was denied a charge call against Kristian Doolittle because referees said the clock hadn't started with the play.

But Dellavedova landed a huge jump-shot to end the third period and the Kings held on in a tense finish to balance their season ledger at 3-3.

Wildcats coach John Rillie was also hit with a technical foul early in the final quarter of a fiery contest but quickly reined himself in.

It was a strong bounce back performance on their home floor for the Kings after a disappointing 16-point loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers back on Wednesday night.

Kendric Davis had a tough game against the JackJumpers but the superstar guard responded strongly with 25 points, six rebounds and five steals for Sydney.

Dellavedova also finished with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while Xavier Cooks had 16 points, eight boards and four assists.

Cooks shot 4/9 again at the foul line while as a team Sydney went 22/36 opposed to the 15/16 from the Wildcats for the game.

Big man Tim Soares added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Kings with Jaylin Galloway adding nine points and three boards.

It caps off a tough week for the Wildcats who lost at home to the Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday before parting ways with import Mason Jones ahead of facing the Kings on Sunday.

The Wildcats also lost import Dylan Windler to injury before half-time with an ankle injury, while star centre Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Lat Mayen fouled out late in the game.

Development player Jaron Rillie, the son of coach John, continued his impressive start to his NBL career by stepping up to play 25 minutes and producing 16 points and three assists with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Lual-Acuil Jr also had 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists with Kristian Doolittle producing 14 points and 10 boards while Ben Henshall struggled to step up with just seven points on 2/11 shooting with zero assists and four turnovers.

Sydney trailed 22-15 at the end of the first period but dominated the second and built a 50-45 lead by half-time behind 16 points from Davis.

The margin blew out in the dying stages with the result beyond doubt with the Wildcats losing bodies having lost Windler to injury, and Lual-Acuil Jr and Mayen fouling out, and the Kings have all the answers.

The Wildcats remain on the road to play the Cairns Taipans in the Ignite Cup on Wednesday while the Kings are away to the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Thursday before hosting the Tasmania JackJumpers next Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

SYDNEY KINGS 94 (Davis 25, Cooks 16, Dellavedova 15)

PERTH WILDCATS 72 (Lual-Acuil Jr 17, Rillie 16, Doolittle 14)

BOX SCORE