Jaylen Adams has started the NBL campaign right back in MVP form and he starred as the Sydney Kings prevailed 88-87 in an early season match up with the Perth Wildcats that lived up to its billing.
While the Kings led by 15 points late in the third quarter at RAC Arena, three final-quarter threes to Perth rookie Elijah Pepper had the home side in front before Adams, along with Xavier Cooks and Cam Oliver, saw the Kings home.
Having won the 2022 MVP award, Adams is now in his third season and on a mission after a rough NBL23 campaign.
He finished with 27 points, six assists and six steals as the Kings sent an early message in the new campaign.
After first-up wins as part of HoopsFest, both teams had the week to prepare in Perth and the Kings got off to a flying start with Adams leading them to a 13-2 lead with eight quick points.
Oliver helped them to a 27-11 advantage after one and Sydney were still leading by three at half-time before going on a 16-5 run late in the third period.
That had the Kings' lead out to 15 points but a third triple to Pepper brought Perth within four again with five minutes to play.
He would then knock down two more three balls to give the Wildcats a lead but it was a game to be decided at the death and ultimately Adams, Cooks and Oliver produced a 7-0 game clinching run even though Pepper had a look on the buzzer from deep for Perth.
On top of what Adams produced, Cooks had 22 points and six rebounds for Sydney and Oliver 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, with that trio sending an ominous message.
Kings coach Brian Goorjian was just happy with such a high-quality early season hit out.
"I thought it was an incredible game of basketball, and an incredible game of basketball for the second game of the year," he said.
"They're a handful and it ended up basket for basket, and we've talked about with our team that you don’t win here if they win the 50-50 stuff.
"The challenge for us was to stay gritty and we won the game with that, we got a couple of offensive rebounds late and some good stops."
Kristian Doolittle finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists for Perth, with Bryce Cotton adding 20 points, while Pepper was the shining light with 18 points on 5-of-11 three-point shooting.
New import Dylan Windler also ended up with 14 points and 16 rebounds but Keanu Pinder had just one point and four turnovers after a stunning opening round performance.
Wildcats coach John Rillie couldn’t fault his team's effort but did lament their 20 turnovers.
"Disappointed about the final result, but we competed at a very high level without playing great basketball," he said.
"It was certainly ugly there in the first quarter for us and for us to turn it over 20 times it will be a tough night, but we competed and I can't fault our effort."
