Adelaide 36ers Look to Upset Kings in New Year’s Opener
The Adelaide 36ers aim to kick off 2026 with a statement victory, hosting the formidable Sydney Kings on Friday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Despite a recent run of strong form, the Sixers face a challenging opponent in the Kings, who have already secured two wins against Adelaide this season.
The Sydney Kings enter the contest as one of the competition’s hottest teams, riding a six-game winning streak. However, their schedule has been demanding, with a Wednesday night victory over Brisbane preceding their trip to Adelaide. Conversely, the Sixers enjoyed a longer break, last taking the court on Sunday with an impressive come-from-behind win against Perth.
Adelaide has found its rhythm, securing three consecutive wins since a December 17th loss to the Kings. That earlier defeat came with a key absence, as Nick Rakocevic was serving a suspension. Since his return, Rakocevic has been a dominant force, registering consecutive double-doubles against Illawarra and Cairns last week.
“Obviously, we haven’t beaten them (this season),” said a Sixers co-captain, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “We’ll do our diligence, we’ll do our scout and come out here…it’s a primetime game. It’s going to be awesome and there’ll be no seats in the house, that’s for sure.”
The sentiment was echoed by Rakocevic, who emphasized the importance of protecting home court. “It’s a big challenge for us,” he stated. “We definitely owe them one and it’s our job to make it up for our fans.” He added that the team’s focus remains on building upon their recent successes.
Friday’s game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00pm ACDT and will be broadcast live on ESPN via Kayo Sports or Disney+.
Historical Matchup & Key Stats
The overall head-to-head record favors Adelaide, with the 36ers holding a 64-50 advantage over the Kings in 114 all-time games. At the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the series is closely contested, with Adelaide leading 5-5 in 10 matchups.
Looking at recent encounters:
- Dec 17, 2025 – Kings 97 def 36ers 93 at AIS Arena, Canberra
- Oct 11, 2025 – Kings 103 def 36ers 79 at AEC
- Feb 13, 2025 – 36ers 95 def Kings 88 at Qudos Bank Arena
- Jan 24, 2025 – 36ers 105 def Kings 96 at Qudos Bank Arena
- Dec 30, 2024 – 36ers 111 def Kings 96 at Qudos Bank Arena
Several statistical trends favor the Sixers heading into Friday’s game:
- Adelaide has won its last 10 Friday games against Sydney.
- The team boasts a 15-game winning streak at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre when enjoying a rest advantage.
- Adelaide has overcome a three-quarter-time deficit to win its last four Friday night games against Sydney.
- They’ve also won their last five games after trailing at halftime.
- A strong defensive record contributes to their success, with nine wins in their last nine games when holding opponents under 90 points.
- Adelaide consistently dominates the third quarter at home, winning it in each of their last eight contests.
- The presence of Nick Rakocevic in the lineup has proven crucial, with the team winning 10 straight games with him on the court.
The Kings also have impressive statistics, having won their last nine games when limiting opponents to under 90 points and winning the third quarter in their last eight games. Additionally, this game marks Kendric Davis’ 50th career game. Dejan Vasiljevic is also on a hot streak, having hit at least one three-pointer in 40 consecutive appearances – the longest active streak in the league.
The stage is set for a thrilling contest as the Adelaide 36ers look to avenge their earlier losses and start the new year with a resounding victory against the in-form Sydney Kings.
