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Kings thump Taipans to launch NBL title defence
Steve Barrett, AAP •  September 20th, 2026 9:45 pm
Kendric Davis was in superb form as the Kings launched their title defence with a win over Cairns | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
The Sydney Kings have made an ideal start to their NBL title defence, thumping the Cairns Taipans 111-90.
Superstar guard Kendric Davis, last season's grand final MVP, starred with 26 points and six assists at Sydney's Afterpay Arena on Sunday.
Skipper Xavier Cooks added 18 points as seven Kings posted double-digit scores.
Xavier Cooks led by example as the Kings settled after some early stutters to post an easy win | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Keanu Pinder was comfortably the Taipans' standout, scoring 27 points at 65 per cent in his return to the league.
"It was an all-round performance - contributions from everybody," Sydney coach Brian Goorjian said.
"First game of the year, everybody's not there yet around the league.
"No excuses, everyone's going through injury and change.
"We're on the right page but we've got a long way to go."
Cairns scoring machine Jack McVeigh was held to a paltry seven points, which was pivotal in the final result.
Kings coach Brian Goorjian wasn't happy early on before his men settled into their work | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Pinder was everywhere early as Cairns, one of last season's stragglers, ambushed the reigning champions with a 14-8 start.
But once the Kings awoke from their early slumber, they were always going to be difficult to contain.
Sydney pulled ahead 32-26 at quarter-time and maintained that margin when they led 59-53 at the long break, with Davis influential and new import centre Andrew Carr efficient.
The Snakes, living and dying from the perimeter, closed the gap to 69-65, before being blown away.
Davis, Matthew Dellavedova, Makuach Maluach and first-gamer Will Johnston caught fire from outside as Sydney went on a 13-2 tear and led 90-73 at three-quarter time, with Shaun Bruce waging a lone vigil for the visitors by that stage.
With Davis, Cooks and Torrey Craig continuing to fire in the final term for the Kings, the margin swelled past the 20-point mark to ensure the reigning premiers began their campaign with a win.
"It was disappointing, it was frustrating, but there were a lot of lessons we got," Cairns coach Adam Forde said.
"Sydney did a good job to keep applying the pressure, and we just failed to respond."
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