Davis stars as Kings douse Phoenix in fiery clashShayne HopeAAPSun, 8 February 2026 1:55PM
MVP candidate Kendric Davis stood tall in an explosive NBL contest as the Sydney Kings made a huge statement with a tough 114-88 road win over South East Melbourne.
Davis scored a game-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting despite close attention from Phoenix guard Owen Foxwell in a playoff-level encounter at John Cain Arena on Sunday.
The American guard was one of three men handed technical fouls, along with Kings coach Brian Goorjian and Phoenix star Nathan Sobey, in a fiery second period.
Sydney (21-9) broke the game open with a dominant second half and leapfrogged SEM (21-10) into second spot on the ladder.
Cooks (20 points) and Jaylin Galloway (14) also starred for the Kings.
“We knew what was at stake. We’re finally healthy and we made a statement today,” Davis told ESPN post-game.
Sydney built a 10-point advantage early in the second period, but it vanished in just four minutes before tempers flared.
Phoenix import John Brown III ignited the contest when he won an offensive foul from Xavier Cooks with a theatrical tumble and fired up the crowd when he celebrated the decision.
Cooks raised an arm to Brown, though replays appeared to show there was no contact.
Foxwell and Davis tangled off the ball moments later, and Davis was accused by SEM coach Josh King of kicking the Phoenix guard on the floor.
Davis also got caught up with Sobey as they fought for a rebound and blew up at his opponent, before refs handed both players technical fouls.
Goorjian copped one too after he flew the flag for Davis.
Davis was jeered by the crowd on the next play but stepped up to sink a huge three with two defenders in his face, and added an extra point after a foul.
He led all scorers with 14 points at halftime, when the Kings led 55-54.
Cooks was fuming in a television interview at the main break.
“These guys try to be really physical, try to bully the game out there,” Cooks told ESPN.
“The refs let John Brown play like a mother-effer, but it’s all good.”
Sydney dominated the third quarter and led 85-77 heading into the last, before blowing the game wide open.
SEM, who had 23 offensive rebounds to nine, scored just 34 points in a second half to forget, including 11 in the final period, as their long-range shooting went cold.
Brown (15 points), Sobey (15) and Wes Iwundu (14) top-scored for a disappointing home side.
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