DrinkWise Preview: NBL26 - Round 7 v Sydney Kings

After an eight-day break, we are set to return to the floor for NBL action on Monday night when we face the Sydney Kings inside John Cain Arena ahead of the Melbourne Cup public holiday.

It’s always a battle when the Kings come to Melbourne, and with both teams looking to keep up their momentum, ours in the form of a nine-game winning streak and Sydney’s coming off the back of a 37-point over Brisbane on Saturday, the contest should deliver fireworks.

Over the past three seasons, we have had the Kings number, winning six of seven games, including all three we’ve played against them in Melbourne.

WHAT’S THE WORD?

Monday evening will be the first time former United star Matthew Dellavedova will face us inside John Cain Arena, however Head Coach Dean Vickerman said like matchups against other former players, the group won’t operate any differently in the lead up to the game.

“I think all the guys (former United players), Marcus Lee, Flynn Cameron, we haven’t really spoken about them any differently to any other player,” Vickerman said.

“We don’t want to put anything extra on that (matchup) because we respect them as player and what they did for us.

“There’s no extra motivation to beat them, we just want to make sure Melbourne United beats the Sydney Kings.”

Fresh off their big win over Brisbane on Saturday night, Kings Head Coach Brian Goorjian touched on his excitement to face what he described as a historically strong United team.

“The team we’re playing, I think everybody knows, is one of the greatest teams assembled in NBL history,” Goorjian said.

“It’s exciting to get to play (them), that’s what you’re in the game for… It’s great to play against greatness.”

WHO’S HOT, WHO'S NOT

Having already taken down the Kings earlier in NBL26 without Chris Goulding, our guys will bring confidence into the Cup Eve contest.

Goulding has had some huge games against Sydney across the past two seasons, including a 28-point effort last year, and a 35-point, eight three-pointer performance in NBL24.

Tyson Walker also put together one of his best games for us in their first meeting, tallying 27 points.

On the other side, Xavier Cooks will look to continue his hot streak against us, having scored over 20 points in three of his last five games, and coming off a 24-point, 10-rebound outing against Brisbane.

GAME INFO

Who: Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings

Tip-off: 7:30pm AEDT, Monday 3 November, 2025

Where: John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Watch: ESPN

Tickets: Limited seats remaining

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