DREWITT’S BULBS MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix celebrate Indigenous Round against the Kings

Key Details

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX (3-2) 3rd v. SYDNEY KINGS (3-3) 5th
Where: The Fire Pit, John Cain Arena
When: Thursday, October 23 at 7:30pm AEDT
Watch: ESPN

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR THURSDAY'S GAME

The NBL celebrates and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in its annual Indigenous Round.

The Phoenix will wear their Indigenous jerseys designed by Dixon Patten, depicting Songlines in Indigenous culture — the pathways of knowledge that connect the past, present and future.

Josh King’s side are coming off their biggest-ever winning margin, a 40-point victory over the Hawks, and will be looking to keep that momentum going against the Kings — a side they’ve beaten only four times in 20 head-to-head meetings.

Phoenix fans will finally get to see new import Wes Iwundu in action after he sat out Saturday’s win, having only arrived in the country two days earlier.

The Sydney Kings are also coming off a win, defeating the Perth Wildcats - though the result was overshadowed by controversy, with coach Brian Goorjian ejected during the game.

The two sides last met during the Blitz in Canberra, where the Phoenix recorded a 21-point win over the Kings, who were without point guard Kendric Davis on that occasion.

Both teams have added new pieces since, and Thursday’s clash will be crucial as the Phoenix look to solidify their top four position.

TEAMS

Phoenix

Gorjok Gak will return to the side after missing the Hawks game due to injury.

Kings

Kings will go in unchanged from their last game.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Kendric Davis 

Kings point guard Kendric Davis will be out for revenge against the Phoenix after they knocked out his former side, Adelaide, in last season’s finals.

The 26-year-old American has been electric so far this season, averaging 21.2 points per game, and will be the key offensive threat for Sydney.

It will be a whole team effort to minimise Davis’ impact but also his fellow guard Matthew Dellavedova in Thursday night’s clash.

HISTORY

Regular Season Head-to-Head
Phoenix 4-16 Kings

Last time out – Rd 17, NBL25
Phoenix 92-103 Kings

Phoenix
Sobey 28p
Foxwell 15p
Wieskamp 11p

Kings
Noi 24p
Adams 20p
Oliver 16p

GAME DAY HUB
Be prepared for the game and get all your up-to-date game day information by CLICKING HERE or the image below. Please note the Eastern Car Park is SOLD OUT due to a concert at Rod Laver Arena.