The "special" connection driving Kings' success

The Hungry Jack's NBL26 season has been one of change and adversity for the Sydney Kings.

From losing big men Keli Leaupepe and Jason Spurgin prior to the season, to dealing with injuries to Xavier Cooks, Matthew Dellavedova, Shaun Bruce and Bul Kuol (who is now also out for the 2025-26 campaign), there has been a lot of movement in the Harbour City.

But two of the constants have been coach Brian Goorjian and star Kendric Davis, who is excelling during his first season in the purple and gold.

With their backs against the wall on Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, those two, along with the likes of Jaylin Galloway, Kouat Noi and Makuach Maluach, pulled them out of the fire and secured them an emotional win over Melbourne.

"They [Sydney] really turned the corner following Goorj's press conference where we discussed their approach to relationships between the coaching and playing groups and how they became more important than the details of the X's and O's. It really was a line in the sand moment," two-time NBL MVP Chris Anstey said on Tuesday's episode of NBL Now.

"We saw that [connection] again the other night with how much it meant to Goorj and the players. They were already down [multiple starters] and then lost Matthew Dellavedova during the game, [so to grind it out the way they did] was really big.

"Honestly, it felt like Sydney had an answer for whatever Melbourne threw at them, playing with composure [which starts with Davis and Goorj].

"The hug at the end of the game [between Davis and Goorj] was significant and the emotion from Goorj showed you what an undermanned win like that means to him and the club, despite being around the game for so long.

"It's a really special thing that it's not just another win [for Goorj, Davis and the Kings]."

Sydney, who have won eight of their past 10 games, now head west to Perth to battle Brisbane at the 2026 HoopsFest.

A win in that Round 17 clash would vault the Kings into second on the ladder.

"You'd like to see them keep their winning run going but it's a completely different challenge for that group against a team that's had their backs against the wall for some time.

"[Looking down the road] I would imagine that the Kings' goal would be to finish top two and go straight into the Playoffs."

That Round 17 fixture at RAC Arena tips off at 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.