2026 NBL Finals: Sydney Kings vs. Adelaide 36ers Game 5 decider and outcome
Consensus Summary
The 2026 NBL Finals between the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers reached a dramatic Game 5 decider after a 2-2 series tie, with both teams featuring top players Kendric Davis and Bryce Cotton, who had a fierce rivalry. The Kings, favored to win, hosted Game 5 at the Sydney SuperDome before an NBL record crowd of 18,589 fans. In a thrilling overtime match, the Kings secured their sixth championship with a 113-101 victory, as Davis scored 35 points and 14 assists, earning series MVP honors. Cotton led the 36ers with 35 points but fell short in the final moments. The win ended Adelaideās 24-year title drought and marked the Kingsā first championship since 2023, solidifying their dominance in the league. The series was marked by intense rivalries, including on-court confrontations and complaints about officiating, but ultimately, the Kingsā resilience and Davisā performance sealed their victory.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The 2026 NBL Finals series between the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers was tied 2-2 heading into Game 5.
- Game 5 of the 2026 NBL Finals was played at the Sydney SuperDome (Olympic Park) on April 5, 2026.
- Kendric Davis (Sydney Kings) and Bryce Cotton (Adelaide 36ers) were the top players in the series, with Cotton winning the 2025/26 NBL MVP by two votes over Davis.
- The Sydney Kings won the 2026 NBL Championship in Game 5 with a final score of 113-101 (including overtime).
- Kendric Davis scored 35 points and 14 assists in Game 5, earning him the series MVP.
- Bryce Cotton scored 35 points in Game 5 for the Adelaide 36ers.
- The Adelaide 36ers last won the NBL Championship in 2002.
- The Sydney Kings won their sixth NBL title (previous titles in 2003-05, 2022-23).
- The Kings won Game 4 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre by one point before losing Game 5 in Sydney.
- The Kings' win in Game 5 set an NBL record crowd of 18,589 fans at the Sydney SuperDome.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Adelaide 36ers coach Mike Wells described the rivalry between the Kings and 36ers as a global brand, with international interest due to the Cotton-Davis rivalry.
- Kings co-owner Andrew Bogut was involved in a face-to-face confrontation with Adelaide owner Grant Kelley after Game 2, leading to a complaint about 'persistent and repeated personal attacks'.
- Mike Wells complained about officiating in the series.
- The Kings' chief executive Mark Thompson stated the club does 'not support any commentary from either team that goes beyond the court'.
- The series was live-blogged by ABC Sport's Jon Healy during Game 5.
- Matthew Dellavedova was mentioned as a prominent Kings player in the series.
- The win marked the Kingsā first championship since Brian Goorjian returned as coach with a mandate to revitalize the club.
- The Kings were favored to win the championship after a record-breaking 44-point win in Game 1 of the series.
- Nick Rakocevic fouled out in overtime after grabbing Tim Soares under the basket.
- Makuach Maluach stole from Cotton and scored a one-handed dunk in the final minute to extend the Kings' lead.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 and 2 (ABC) describe Game 5 as a decider with Adelaide as underdog, but Article 3 (Guardian) states the Kings won in overtime, making the outcome clear before the game.
- Article 1 (ABC) mentions the Kings won Game 2 of the series, but Article 3 (Guardian) implies the Kings lost Game 1 (44-point loss) and won Game 2, which is not explicitly stated in Article 1.
Source Articles
Live: Tempestuous NBL Finals comes down to game five between Kings and 36ers
The NBL Finals between the Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers come down to game five after a heated series. Follow live....
Cotton-Davis rivalry has gone global, 36ers coach says ahead of decider
As Sydney and Adelaide put the final touches on their preparations for this year's NBL championship decider, 36ers coach Mike Wells says he believes the rivalry his side has built with the Kings has a...
Sydney Kings break Adelaide 36ers hearts in overtime thriller to win NBL Championship
Kings defeat 36ers 113-101 in dramatic finals series decider Kendric Davis stars with 35 points and 13 assists in front of record crowd The Sydney Kings have won their sixth NBL title with a dramatic ...