Coaches divided on stars' clash: ‘No reason for that’

The first Championship Series rematch between Sydney and Adelaide delivered everything it promised, with the 36ers grinding out a gritty 84-78 win on the road at Afterpay Arena.

But the result was only half the story. In the dying moments, superstars Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis came face-to-face in a heated off-ball altercation and had to be separated, a reminder that last season’s rivalry is still very much alive.

>> Davis, Cotton feud spills onto social media

Following the win, 36ers coach Trevor Gleeson addressed the issue in the post-game press conference.

“I thought the game was over; it had nothing to do with the play,” Gleeson said.

“Then, with the physicality out there, I was happy for Bryce to stand up for himself.

“You don’t want to see that. If it’s in the play of the game, okay, [but] it’s off the ball.

“You can call it whatever you want to call it, but there’s no reason for that.”

While Gleeson called for that part of the game to be erased, counterpart Brian Goorjian had differing views, saying this kind of drama is good for the sport.

“Bryce comes in here, and their team has got an edge to [them],” Goorjian said.

“I know Kendric has [that] as well.

“I caught a glimpse of it [the altercation], but I knew coming down the back stretch of the fourth quarter when they moved away from us.

“Kendric and our group were really disappointed, and what you see [out there] just shows how they feel about each other.

“I think our sport needs it. I respect the big hugs [after the game], and we’re looking forward to the next time they’ve got that.

“[But] that [rivalry] generated a lot of support for our game in the Finals Series, and it hasn’t gone anywhere.”

The feud didn’t end at the final buzzer either. Hours later, Davis took to X to brand Cotton the “king of throwing rocks and hiding his hand”, before signing off with a pointed reminder of the clubs’ next meeting: “See you Dec 13. That trophy in Sydney for now though.”

Adelaide next plays the JackJumpers in Tasmania on Friday, while the Kings host New Zealand in Canberra on Wednesday, with both games live on ESPN.