In a gripping Freeway Series showdown, the Sydney Kings faced a disappointing 90-70 defeat against the Illawarra Hawks at the WIN Entertainment Centre. The Kings took an early lead with Cam Oliver scoring on their first possession and triples from Tyler Robertson. However, despite efforts from Mason Peatling and Kouat Noi to maintain the momentum, the Hawks surged ahead to a commanding 27-21 lead by the end of the first quarter. A technical foul on Shaun Bruce shifted the tides further, allowing the Hawks to extend their lead throughout the match. Controversy erupted when Kings' Robertson was sidelined after a disputed no-call, contributing to Illawarra's growing advantage. Although the Kings fought back with contributions from Adams, Oliver, and Maluach, the pivotal ejection of Adams stifled their chances for a comeback. Ultimately, impressive performances from the Hawks secured their 20-point victory, highlighting the significant statistics that favored Illawarra such as rebounds and points in the paint. The defeat closes the regular season for the Sydney Kings, who finished fifth with a record of 16-13 and anxiously await their postseason schedule.
