In a heart-pounding NBL clash that went down to the wire, the Sydney Kings staged a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Cairns Taipans 91-87 at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday. Trailing by three points with just over three minutes remaining, Kings star Kouat Noi took over the game, erupting for an astonishing 11 points in crunch time to will his team to victory.
Noi’s Late-Game Heroics Rescue Kings
With the game hanging in the balance, Kouat Noi showcased his elite scoring ability when it mattered most. The 27-year-old forward drilled consecutive three-pointers and threw down a thunderous dunk, single-handedly outscoring the entire Taipans squad in the final minutes. Noi also came up with a crucial offensive rebound in the last minute to help seal the win.
Kouat was absolutely incredible down the stretch. He refused to let us lose and took over the game with his scoring and hustle plays. That’s what great players do in big moments.
– Kings Head Coach Chase Buford
Kings’ Stars Shine Bright
While Noi stole the show late, it was a team effort that propelled Sydney to the thrilling victory. Cameron Oliver recorded his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 17 rebounds, providing a dominant presence in the paint. Xavier Cooks added 19 points and Jaylen Adams chipped in 18 as the Kings’ stars rose to the occasion.
- Kouat Noi: 27 PTS (4-8 3PT)
- Cameron Oliver: 15 PTS, 17 REB
- Xavier Cooks: 19 PTS
- Jaylen Adams: 18 PTS
Taipans Fall Just Short Despite Valiant Effort
The Cairns Taipans, despite sitting at the bottom of the NBL standings, gave the Kings all they could handle for most of the game. Rob Edwards led the way with 25 points, while rookie sensation Taran Armstrong added 22 points in an impressive performance. The Taipans played inspired basketball and had victory within their grasp before Noi’s late-game takeover.
Cairns was playing just a day after the shocking arrest of guard Jackson Makoi over an alleged domestic violence incident dating back to 2023. Despite the distraction, the Taipans showed tremendous focus and nearly pulled off the upset.
Playoff Implications and Looking Ahead
The hard-fought win improves Sydney’s record to 14-10, keeping them in the mix for a coveted top-two spot in the NBL standings. With several teams jockeying for playoff positioning, every game down the stretch takes on added significance.
The Kings will look to build off this momentum as they head into a crucial stretch of their schedule. With Noi rounding into top form and the team’s stars consistently producing, Sydney appears poised to make some noise in the postseason.
As for the Taipans, while moral victories don’t show up in the standings, their gritty performance against one of the league’s top teams should give them confidence moving forward. If they can consistently harness that same energy and execution, better days could be ahead for the rebuilding franchise.
