Sixers Force Decider as Craig Miss Proves Costly in Game 4 Thriller

Alexander Bebendorf

The NBL Championship Series is headed the distance. Adelaide 36ers held their nerve in a pulsating Game 4, edging the Sydney Kings 92-91 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to force a winner-takes-all decider. In a game that never allowed either side to fully break clear, it came down to the final seconds and a single missed free throw.

With Adelaide clinging to a two-point lead, Torrey Craig stepped to the line with just two seconds remaining. The first shot fell, but his second attempt missed, and Isaac Humphries secured the rebound to seal a dramatic one-point victory that sent the home crowd into raptures. It was a fitting finish to a night of relentless tension.

The Kings had carried a narrow two-point advantage into the fourth quarter, but as the clock wound down, the margin evaporated. Scores were level inside the final three minutes, with every possession drawing a roaring response from the stands.

Kendric Davis briefly steadied Sydney, knocking down two free throws to tie the game with two minutes remaining. Moments later, Bryce Cotton answered at the other end, calmly hitting from the stripe to put Adelaide back in front: a lead they would not relinquish.

While Cotton again battled under intense defensive pressure, he still found ways to impact the contest, finishing with 19 points, 12 assists and five rebounds despite shooting 8-of-22 from the field.

Dejan Vasiljevic turned back the clock with a superb 19-point performance, connecting on five three-pointers and consistently punishing Sydney’s defence. His early aggression set the tone and helped Adelaide weather multiple Kings surges.

Zylan Cheatham delivered arguably his best game of the series, falling just short of a triple-double with 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in a dominant all-round display. Humphries also proved crucial, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds — none bigger than his final board to clinch the result.

Adelaide’s resilience was again on show, fighting back from a nine-point deficit midway through the third quarter to keep their season alive.

For Sydney, Davis produced another strong outing with 22 points and 10 assists, including a pair of clutch three-pointers in the fourth - one over Cotton - that briefly gave the Kings the edge late.

Jaylin Galloway also continued his breakout series, hitting five triples for the second straight game to finish with 20 points, becoming the first player in 16 years to achieve the feat in consecutive finals appearances.

But in the end, the Kings were left to rue missed opportunities in the dying moments. Now, after four games of momentum swings, late-game drama, and standout individual performances, the series is perfectly poised at 2-2. Game 5 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday will decide the champion.