DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Friends Turned Foes for Ex-Kings Players in First Game Back in Sydney

Key Details

SYDNEY KINGS (6-5) 5th vs SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (4-6) 8th
Where: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
When: Friday, November 8 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN via Kayo

It will be friends turned foes as ex-Sydney Kings and championship players Jordi Hunter, and Angus Glover  step foot into Qudos Bank Arena for the first time since coming to the Phoenix, while Tom Vodanovich returns to face his old mob.

New head coach Josh King has made an immediate impact on his new side. The South East Melbourne squad has now won back-to-back games this NBL25 season, taking the side from the bottom of the ladder to eighth, and knocking on the play-in window.

Co-captain Nathan Sobey has found his footing under the new coach after a slow start, gaining Phoenix fans GOAT Player of the Game, and posting a season-high 20 points, including his 4,000th NBL career point.

The Kings are coming off a 1-1 round 7, going down by five points to Melbourne United, before turning it around and snapping their three-game losing streak with a huge 28-point victory over the reigning champion Tasmania JackJumpers.

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will remain without Derrick Walton Jr who will travel but just fall short of making a return against the Kings, targeting Sunday's game against Cairns. Big man Majok Majok will miss with illness.

Kings

The Kings will be without Jaylin Galloway, who dislocated his shoulder against Melbourne United in round 7.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Ex-Sydney Players Hostile Welcome Back

The Qudos Bank Arena will become a hunting ground for four ex-championship players when they step foot on the court on Friday night. Jordi Hunter, Angus Glover, and Tom Vodanovich won the Kings a championship together in the NBL23 season but will now sit in the other changerooms for the first time.

Better coffee? Better beaches? Worse traffic? 🤔

Xav Cooks and Jordi Hunter decide Melbourne or Sydney ahead of tomorrow’s clash! 🤝 @SydneyKings pic.twitter.com/nnXP2hXIxS

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) November 7, 2024

HISTORY

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 4-13 Kings

Last time out – Rd20, NBL25
Phoenix 67-122 Kings

Phoenix
Foxwell 16p
Creek 13p
Vague 7p

Kings
Hogg 25p
Adams 24p
Valentine 17p